Epidemiology of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in students of the public schools in Goiânia-GO.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in school children from 10 to 14 years in public schools in Goiânia, GO, Brazil. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 476 students were randomly selected from 5 public schools, from a total of 33,343 students distributed in 162 schools. These subjects received the informed consent prior, which was returned after being signed by parents on physical examination day. We evaluated the symmetry of the shoulders, the scapulae, the triangle-cut, the hip evenness and the Adams test. In suspected cases, students were referred to panoramic radiographs of the spine. RESULTS: 418 students participated in the study (adjusted sampling error of 3.2%). Of this total, 31 students were suspected of scoliosis (17 males and 14 females). Twenty-eight students took radiographs, of which 18 were diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (11 female and 7 male), determining the prevalence of 4.3%. The chi-square test suggested no statistical difference in prevalence between the sexes. One student had congenital scoliosis. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in the public schools of Goiânia is 4.3%. Level of Evidence III, Study of Nonconsecutive Patients.

Totally NOTES (T-NOTES) transvaginal cholecystectomy using two endoscopes: preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: Clinical applications of transvaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) are still limited in the literature, mostly case reports performed by hybrid procedures with laparoscopic assistance. Avoiding complications from incisions is the main goal for natural orifice surgery. This study reports on a technique developed at our institution that uses two endoscopes inserted into the vagina to perform a Totally NOTES (T-NOTES) transvaginal cholecystectomy, and describes preliminary results. METHODS: IRB approval was obtained at the institution for transvaginal NOTES clinical trials, and informed consent was obtained. The technique of T-NOTES transvaginal cholecystectomy was clinically applied in four female patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis, and data were prospectively documented. Transvaginal NOTES access was obtained by direct vaginal incision, and two endoscopes were simultaneously introduced in the abdominal cavity. Dissection was accomplished with available endoscopic instruments. Ligation of cystic duct and artery was performed using endoscopic clips. Vaginal closure was achieved using the direct-vision sutured technique. RESULTS: The technique was successfully performed in the four patients. Insufflation and spatial orientation was of good quality. Mean operative time was 210 min. There were no complications during the 30-day follow-up. Postoperative course was uneventful, and patients were released from the hospital on the first postoperative day. CONCLUSION: Tranvaginal T-NOTES using two endoscopes provides a feasible method for natural orifice cholecystectomy using available technology. Large-series studies are needed to evaluate the results with respect to safety of the approach.