The Amatsu's tracheoesophageal shunt: analysis of 84 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Amatsu's tracheoesophageal shunt can be indicated for vocal rehabilitation in candidates to total laryngectomy. It is performed in the period of the procedure of total laryngectomy and has been indicated due to its technical facility, exemption from the use of voice prosthesis, and lack of additional costs for its maintenance. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results obtained with the Amatsu's tracheoesophageal shunt, along 14 years of experience, in two Brazilian hospitals. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical retrospective. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From 1991 to 2005, eighty-four patients were submitted to the Amatsu's tracheoesophageal shunt. Seventy-seven (91.7%) were male and seven (8.3%) female, aged between 30 and 82 years, mean age of 57.5 years, and an average age of 52 years. All patients had squamous cell carcinoma of larynx and/or hypopharynx. Sixty-eight (81.0%) were stage III or IV. They were submitted to total laryngectomy and the Amatsu's tracheoesophageal shunt was performed during the tumor removal surgery. The following variables were analyzed: acquisition of intelligible speech, vocal recovery time after surgery, and the occurrence of specific surgical complications of the shunt (pulmonary aspiration). RESULTS: Seventy-six patients were evaluated with respect to the effectiveness of the technique. Fifty-three patients (70.0%) presented vocalization by the shunt; in 46 patients (60.5%), the speech was fully intelligible. The time required for restoration of speech was 12-87 postoperative days. Of the 83 patients evaluated in relation to the development of complications, 25 (30.1%) presented aspiration by the shunt during oral ingestion. In 23 patients (27.7%), the aspiration was managed conservatively without complications. Two patients (2.4%) required surgical closure of the shunt due to intractable aspiration. CONCLUSION: Vocal rehabilitation with the Amatsu's tracheoesophageal shunt is effective in most patients who underwent total laryngectomy. It can be evidenced by the acquisition of intelligible speech in most patients. The aspiration, although often, is not shown to be a limiting complication.

Experiência educativa com grupos de atenção à criança em Mariana-MG / An educational experience with childcare groups in Mariana, Minas Gerais State

INTRODUÇÃO: A educação em saúde é o foco da experiência relatada neste trabalho que foi desenvolvido como uma das atividades de um grupo do Programa de Educação pelo Trabalho para a Saúde (PET Saúde) da Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (UFOP) em parceria com a Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de Mariana, no âmbito do Programa de Atenção à Criança do município. OBJETIVOS: Melhorar a interatividade entre profissionais e população por meio de estratégias participativas e lúdicas envolvendo grupos de mães. MÉTODOS: Realização de dinâmicas educativas e avaliativas com os responsáveis pelas crianças e de atividades lúdicas para entretenimento das crianças que são assistidas pelo Programa, ambas pautadas na metodologia da educação popular. RESULTADOS: Os profissionais envolvidos se mostraram receptivos ao uso de novas metodologias educativas no trabalho com aqueles grupos operativos. Os participantes demonstraram interesse e interação nos encontros. As crianças se mostraram satisfeitas em ter um passatempo enquanto aguardavam a avaliação nutricional. O processo proporcionou reflexão crítica e construção de conhecimento entre os monitores e professores. CONCLUSÃO: A aproximação entre profissionais de saúde e população, historicamente pautada pela dicotomia entre o saber técnico e o saber popular, é beneficiada por ações que permitem a criação de espaços de diálogo, como os que foram desenvolvidos no grupo com o suporte da metodologia da educação popular.

INTRODUCTION: The focus of the experiment discussed here was health education, as one of the activities of a group under the Educational Program for Health Work (PET-Saúde) at the Federal University in Ouro Preto (UFOP) in partnership with the Mariana Municipal Health Department, through the Municipal Childcare Program. OBJECTIVES: The objective was to improve interaction between he alth workers and the population through participatory leisure-time activities involving the children's mothers. METHODS: A literature search was conducted to enable the development of group dynamics, with support from the UFOP Educational Toy Collection. RESULTS: Group dynamics were developed, with interactive games and rounds of discussion for evaluation. CONCLUSION: Collaboration between health workers and the population, traditionally based on the dichotomy between technical expertise and grassroots knowledge, can benefit from actions that take into account the establishment of interfaces for dialogue and exchange of knowledge, such as those introduced by the group with the support of the popular education methodology.