Optimizing Postoperative Acute Kidney Injury Monitoring Using a Urine Biochemical Approach-Time to Bring More Dynamism to Serum Creatinine Evaluation!

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) impairment is common both intraoperatively and in the early postoperative period of major surgeries, even elective ones. In some patients, such impairment is subtle and short-lasting, not even detected by increases in serum creatinine (sCr) and, consequently, not of sufficient magnitude to fulfill acute kidney injury (AKI) sCr-based criteria. In patients with a GFR decrease of greater magnitude, significant increases in sCr will occur but, unfortunately, usually at a late time in its progression. Both urinary and serum biomarkers have been proposed to be capable of anticipating AKI development but they are not widely available nor cost-effective in most centers. In this context, a urine biochemical approach using urinary sodium concentration (NaU) and the fractional excretion of potassium (FeK) has been proposed, anticipating the level of renal microcirculatory stress and decreases in GFR. An educational postoperative case example is presented highlighting the relevance that this approach can have in the correct interpretation of sCr values, bringing more dynamism to renal function monitoring. How to cite this article: Maciel AT. Optimizing Postoperative Acute Kidney Injury Monitoring Using a Urine Biochemical Approach-Time to Bring More Dynamism to Serum Creatinine Evaluation! Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(8):729-733.

Long-term outcomes of the obstruction treatment in benign and malignant colonic obstruction: a multicentre study

Introduction: Patients with colonic obstruction are at risk for emergency resection, which is a risk factor for increased mortality and morbidity. In left-sided obstructive colon cancer, the principle of bridge-to-surgery is already recommended to reduce complications. From this treatment strategy, the obstruction treatment is derived. In this treatment strategy, bowel wall distention is reduced by minimizing stool production through laxatives and dietary measures. Short-term outcomes have already shown promising results. This study aims to evaluate long-term outcomes in patients treated with this obstruction treatment. Methods: This is a multicenter prospective study that included patients who presented with symptomatic colonic obstruction and radiologic confirmation of obstruction between May 2019 and August 2020 in the contributing hospitals. Patients with malignant and benign colonic obstruction were included. Follow-up in this study consisted of at least 36 months. Endpoints of the study included 1- and 3-year stoma and mortality rates. Results: Ninety-eight patients were included in this study. For the overall cohort complication, reoperation, and readmission rates after one year were 37%, 14%, and 10% respectively. Overall, 3-year mortality was 21%. The presence of a stoma after 1 year was 18%, and after 3 years 17% in this cohort. Conclusion: Long-term results of this study indicate that obstruction treatment has acceptable long-term outcomes in terms of mortality and stoma rates, compared to literature on emergency surgery and bridge-to-surgery alternatives. Permanent stoma rates are lower, compared to the literature on other treatment strategies in bowel obstruction. (AU)

Empleo de antibióticos en cirugía electiva en el adulto mayor / Antibiotic Use for Elective Surgery in the Older Adult

Introducción: Los pacientes quirúrgicos geriátricos tienen afectación funcional y enfermedades asociadas, lo cual aumenta su riesgo quirúrgico con la edad. Objetivo: Determinar el comportamiento del uso de los antibióticos en pacientes geriátricos que requieren cirugía electiva atendidos en el Hospital Vladimir Ilich Lenin del 2018 al 2022. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, observacional, analítico y transversal a pacientes intervenidos por cirugía electiva con tratamiento con antibiótico. Los datos se obtuvieron de las historias clínicas y la entrevista aplicada. Se analizaron variables como edad, sexo, enfermedades asociadas, diagnóstico preoperatorio, tiempo quirúrgico, complicaciones, evolución, filtrado glomerular y dosis antibiótica perioperatoria. Resultados: El empleo de antibióticos fue más utilizado en los grupos de edades de 60 a 64 años y el sexo femenino; las comorbilidades que predominaron fueron la diabetes mellitus, la hipertensión arterial y la cardiopatía isquémica. Los motivos de consulta más frecuentes fueron por litiasis vesicular y por hernias dentro del grupo ASA I de la American Society of Anesthesiologists. Los antibióticos fundamentales fueron con dosis ajustada. Conclusiones: Se necesita de un trabajo diferenciado en cuanto a la atención al adulto mayor. La utilización de un protocolo o algoritmo de trabajo es necesario en la práctica diaria, sobre todo ante la necesidad de una cirugía electiva(AU)

Introduction: Geriatric surgical patients have functional impairment and associated diseases, which increases their surgical risk with age. Objective: To determine the behavior of antibiotic use in geriatric patients requiring elective surgery attended at Hospital Vladimir Ilich Lenin Hospital from 2018 to 2022. Methods: A descriptive, observational, analytical and cross-sectional study was conducted on patients undergoing elective surgery with antibiotic treatment. The data were obtained from medical records and the applied interview. The analyzed variables included age, sex, associated diseases, preoperative diagnosis, surgical time, complications, evolution, glomerular filtration and perioperative antibiotic dose. Results: Antibiotic use was more frequent in the age group 60 to 64 years and in the female sex; the most frequent comorbidities were diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension and ischemic heart disease. The most frequent reasons for consultation were vesicular lithiasis and hernias within the ASA I group of the American Society of Anesthesiologists. The fundamental antibiotics were adjusted by doses. Conclusions: An individualized work is needed in terms of care of the older adult. The use of a working protocol or algorithm is necessary in daily practice, especially when elective surgery is required(AU)

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Surgical Services in Brazil's Healthcare System: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study.

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic provoked disruptions in healthcare delivery, leading to the cancellation and postponement of various health services, including surgery. Numerous countries closed their borders and established laws mandating the use of face masks and social distancing and enforced lockdowns, and various activities were constrained. Brazil, the largest and most populous country in Latin America, also experienced a rapid and sustained surge in infections and deaths. Brazil was the most severely impacted nation in Latin America. The impact of the pandemic on surgical services in Brazil has not been adequately studied since most studies only cover the early phases of the pandemic. Thus, this study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgical services throughout the entire period. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional design was used to examine surgical cases from 2019 to 2022 and compared the following indicators: (1) number of hospital admissions, (2) length of hospital stay (LOS) (in days), and (3) volume of urgent and elective procedures. Data was divided into four time periods, pre-pandemic (March-December 2019), pandemic (March-December 2020), recovery (March-December 2021), and post-pandemic (March-December 2022), and was analyzed for the number of admissions and LOS based on surgical procedures performed by stratifying according to region, sex, age, and type of surgery (urgent versus elective). Results The number of admissions for surgical procedures ranged between 859,646 and 4,015,624 for 2019, 686,616 and 3,419,234 for 2020, 787,791 and 3,829,019 for 2021, and 760,512 and 3,857,817 for 2022 for the category of region; 4,260,900 and 5,991,775 for 2019, 3,594,117 and 4,984,710 for 2020, 4,182,640 and 5,590,808 for 2021, and 4,077,651 and 5,561,928 for 2022 for the category of sex; and 2,170,288 and 3,186,117 for 2019, 1,516,830 and 2,825,189 for 2020, 1,748,202 and 3,030,272 for 2021, and 1,900,023 and 2,859,179 for 2022 for the category of age. The variable age showed a comparable trend, albeit with an expressive decline for surgeries in the age range of 0-19 years. The LOS (in days) for surgical procedures ranged between 110,157 and 910,846 for 2019, 58,562 and 897,734 for 2020, 67,926 and 904,137 for 2021, and 100,467 and 823,545 for 2022. Thoracic surgery indicated no statistically significant difference in the number of admissions and LOS. Elective surgeries had a decline in the number of admissions and LOS, a 13% and 9.3% decline between 2019 and 2020, respectively. Urgent surgeries experienced a slight decrease in admissions and LOS, with a decline of 2.4% and 2.8% between 2019 and 2020, respectively. Conclusions Population characteristics, such as age, sex, and region, showed decreased hospital admissions during the pandemic, followed by a recovery toward pre-pandemic levels afterward. The number of surgical admissions and the length of hospital stays decreased during the pandemic but gradually returned to pre-pandemic levels in the recovery and post-pandemic phases. Notably, thoracic surgery remained statistically consistent across all periods, indicating its emergency nature compared to other surgeries. Thus, we conclude that the pandemic had minimal impact on thoracic surgery cases, contributing to a stable trend.

Bioseguridad en ambientes quirúrgicos durante la COVID-19 / Biosafety in Surgical Environments during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introducción: La COVID-19 significó un gran reto para los servicios de cirugía a nivel mundial, lo que trajo como consecuencia modificaciones, incluso la suspensión de la actividad quirúrgica en algunos casos con el objetivo de garantizar seguridad tanto para el paciente como para el personal de salud. Objetivo: Describir acciones que contribuyan a garantizar condiciones de bioseguridad en ambientes quirúrgicos durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica para la cual se usaron 37 referencias bibliográficas en inglés y español. Se consultaron fuentes científicas como PubMed/Medline, SciELO, Scopus, ScienceDirect y fuentes oficiales como la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Desarrollo: Ante la reanudación de la cirugía electiva se crearon protocolos de actuación. Deben clasificarse los pacientes en 3 grupos según la posibilidad de padecer COVID-19: individuos sanos, portadores asintomáticos y pacientes con síntomas. Además, debe darse prioridad a los pacientes cuyos procedimientos fueron cancelados. Se preconiza crear circuitos independientes y separados para evitar el contacto de casos sospechosos o confirmados de COVID-19 con el resto de pacientes. Para garantizar mayor seguridad debe entrenarse al personal médico en la forma correcta de utilizar los medios de protección personal. La inducción anestésica de estos pacientes debe garantizar su seguridad y prevenir el contagio. Una vez concluida la cirugía, se llevará a cabo la recuperación inicial del paciente dentro del propio quirófano y este será higienizado estrictamente. Conclusiones: Los profesionales sanitarios deben estar adecuadamente entrenados y conocer las medidas de bioseguridad y protocolos sanitarios tanto del hospital como del país en que se encuentren(AU)

Introduction: COVID-19 posed a great challenge to surgical services worldwide, resulting in modifications, including the suspension of surgical activity in some cases with the aim of ensuring safety for both the patient and the health personnel. Objective: To describe actions that contribute to guarantee biosafety conditions in surgical environments during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A bibliographic review was carried out using 37 bibliographic references in English and Spanish. Scientific sources, such as PubMed/Medline, SciELO, Scopus and ScienceDirect, were consulted; as well as official sources, such as the World Health Organization. Development: When elective surgery was resumed, action protocols were created. Patients should be classified into 3 groups, according to the possibility of having COVID-19: healthy individuals, asymptomatic carriers, and patients with symptoms. In addition, priority should be given to patients whose procedures have been cancelled. Independent and isolated wards are recommended to be created in order to avoid contact between suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases and the rest of the patients. To ensure greater safety, the medical personnel should be trained in the correct use of personal protective equipment. The anesthetic induction of these patients should ensure their safety and prevent contagion. Once the surgery is over, the initial recovery of the patient will be carried out inside the operating room itself, which shall be strictly sanitized. Conclusions: Healthcare professionals must be adequately trained and be aware of the biosecurity measures and healthcare protocols of both the hospital and the country where they are located(AU)

Estimación de la eficiencia del uso de pabellones electivos en el sistema de salud público chileno entre 2018 y 2021. / Efficiency estimation on the use of elective surgical theaters in the Chilean public health system from 2018 to 2021.

Objective: The efficient use of wards intended for elective surgeries is essential to resolve cases on the surgical waiting list. This study aims to estimate the efficiency of ward use in the Chilean public health system between 2018 and 2021. Methods: The design was an ecological study. Section A.21 of the database constructed by the monthly statistical summaries that each public health network facility reported to the Ministry of Health between 2018 and 2021 was analyzed. Data from subsections A, E and F were extracted: ward staffing, total elective surgeries by specialty, number and causes of suspension of elective surgeries. Then, the surgical performance during working hours and the percentage of hourly occupancy for a working day was estimated. Additionally, an analysis was made by region with data from 2021. Results: The percentage of elective wards in use ranged from 81.1% to 94.1%, while those enabled for those staffing ranged from 70.5% to 90.4% during 2018 and 2021. The total number of surgeries was highest in 2019 (n = 416 339), but for 2018, 2020, and 2021 it ranged from 259 000 to 297 000. Suspensions varied between 10.8% (2019) and 6.9% (2021), with the leading cause being patient-related. When analyzing the number of cases canceled monthly by facility, we saw that the leading cause was trade union-related. The maximum throughput of a ward intended for elective surgery was reached in 2019 and was 2.5 surgeries; in 2018, 2020 and 2021, the throughput borders on two surgeries per ward enabled for elective surgery. The percentage of ward time occupied during working hours by contract day varies between 80.7% (2018) and 56.8% (2020). Conclusions: All the parameters found and estimated in this study show that there is an inefficient utilization of operating rooms in Chilean public healthcare facilities.

Objetivo: El uso eficiente de pabellones destinados a cirugías electivas es fundamental para resolver patologías en lista de espera quirúrgica. El objetivo general de este estudio es estimar la eficiencia del uso de pabellones en el sistema de salud público de Chile entre los años 2018 y 2021. Métodos: El diseño fue un estudio ecológico. Se analizó la Sección A.21 de la base de datos construida por los resúmenes estadísticos mensuales que cada establecimiento de la red de salud pública reportó al Ministerio de Salud de Chile entre 2018 y 2021. Se extrajeron los datos de la subsección A, E y F: dotación de pabellones, total de cirugías electivas por especialidad, número y causas de suspensión de cirugías electivas. Luego se estimó el rendimiento quirúrgico en horario hábil y el porcentaje de ocupación horaria respecto de una jornada laboral. Adicionalmente, se hizo un análisis por región con datos de 2021. Resultados: El porcentaje de pabellones electivos respecto de los en dotación varió entre 81,1 y 94,1%; mientras que los habilitados respecto de los en dotación varió entre 70,5 y 90,4% durante 2018 y 2021. El número total de cirugías fue más alto en 2019 (n = 416 339), pero en 2018, 2020 y 2021 variaron entre 259 y 297 mil cirugías. Las suspensiones varían entre 10,8 (2019) y 6,9%w(2021), siendo la principal causa de suspensión atribuida al "paciente". Al analizar la cantidad de pacientes suspendidos mensualmente por institución, se observa que la principal causa es "gremial". El rendimiento máximo de un pabellón destinado a cirugía electiva se alcanzó en 2019 y fue de 2,5 cirugías; mientras que en 2018, 2020 y 2021 el rendimiento bordea las dos cirugías por pabellón habilitado para cirugía electiva. El porcentaje de tiempo de pabellón ocupado en horario hábil respecto a una jornada de contrato varía entre 80,7 (2018) y 56,8% (2020). Conclusiones: Todos los parámetros encontrados y estimados en este estudio muestran que el uso de pabellones en el sistema público de Chile es ineficiente.

The December Effect in Pediatric Elective Surgery Utilization: Differences Between Privately and Publicly Insured Children.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to identify differences in December elective surgery utilization between privately and publicly insured children, given that increases in the prevalence and size of annual deductibles may be driving more families with commercial health insurance to delay elective pediatric surgical procedures until later in the calendar year. STUDY DESIGN: We identified patients aged <18 years who underwent myringotomy, tonsillectomy ± adenoidectomy, tympanoplasty, hydrocelectomy, orchidopexy, distal hypospadias repair, or repair of inguinal, umbilical, or epigastric hernia using the 2012-2019 state inpatient and ambulatory surgery and services databases of 9 states. Log-binomial regression models were used to compare relative probabilities of procedures being performed each month. Linear regression models were used to evaluate temporal trends in the proportions of procedures performed in December. RESULTS: Our study cohort (n = 1 001 728) consisted of 56.7% privately insured and 41.8% publicly insured children. Peak procedure utilization among privately and publicly insured children was in December (10.1%) and June (9.6%), respectively. Privately insured children were 24% (95% CI 22%-26%) more likely to undergo surgery in December (P < .001), with a significant increase seen for 8 of 9 procedures. There was no trend over time in the percentage of procedures performed in December, except for hydrocelectomies, which increased by 0.4 percentage points/year among privately insured children (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Privately insured children are >20% more likely than publicly insured children to undergo elective surgery in December. However, despite increases in the prevalence of high deductibles, the proportion of procedures performed in December has not increased over recent years.

Obstructive sleep apnea in surgical patients and its relationship with difficult intubation: two years of experience from a single center.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to determine the risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients undergoing elective surgery and its relationship with difficult intubation (DI). METHODS: This prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2018 and February 2020 in the anesthesiology and reanimation service of a training and research hospital. The study included patients who were ASA I...II, 18 years of age, and older who underwent elective surgery under general anesthesia. A form regarding the baseline characteristics of the participants as well as STOP-Bang score, Mallampati, and Cormack-Lehane classification was used to collect the data. RESULTS: The study included 307 patients. It was determined that 64.2% of patients had a high risk of OSA. The presence of DI (determined by repeated attempts at intubation) was 28.6% in the high-risk OSA group, while there was no DI in the low-risk OSA group. A statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of OSA risk according to the presence of DI according to repeated attempts, Cormack-Lehane classification, and Mallampati classification (p...<...0.001). CONCLUSION: Due to the high rate of DI in patients with a high risk of OSA, the security of the airway in these patients is endangered. Early clinical recognition of OSA can help in designing a safer care plan.

Plasma rico en plaquetas autólogo en la cicatrización de heridas por cirugía electiva, ¿mito o realidad? Estudio prospectivo experimental / Autologous platelet rich plasma in the healing of wounds by elective surgery, myth or reality? Experimental prospective study

El plasma rico en plaquetas es un producto biológico definido como parte de la fracción plasmática de sangre autóloga con concentración plaquetaria por encima de la línea de base, considerándose como tecnología terapéutica endógena con potencial para estimular y acelerar la cicatrización de los tejidos.Objetivo : Evaluar el uso del plasma rico en plaquetas autólogo en la cicatrización de heridas quirúrgicas de pacientes intervenidos por colecistectomía convencional electiva en el Hospital General Nacional "Dr. Ángel Larralde".Métodos : Estudio cohorte, observacional y analítico, con diseño experimental, prospectivo, de corte longitudinal. Muestra no probabilística, intencional, conformada por pacientes ajustados a criterios de inclusión. Ficha de Recolección de Datos diseñada con las escalas de Vancouver y de Evaluación Objetiva de Paciente y Observador. Los resultados obtenidos se tabularon en una matriz de datos realizada con Microsoft®Excel y, posteriormente, presentados por medio de tablas de distribución de frecuencias y gráficos. Para el análisis e interpretación de los resultados, se recurrió al programa SPSS 26®, de licencia libre. Se utilizó el estadístico Chi Cuadrado.Resultados : Total de 26 pacientes: grupo de estudio con 11 pacientes, grupo control con 15 pacientes. Se calculó valor de p para ambas escalas, resultando˂ 0.05 en todas las observaciones. Conclusión : Se observó una evolución satisfactoria evidente en los pacientes a los cuales se les aplicó el PRP respecto al grupo control, de manera que apoya la premisa de que el PRP contribuye a una cicatrización rápida, sin complicaciones y de fácil obtención(AU)

Platelet-rich plasma is a biological product defined as part of the plasmatic fraction of autologous blood with platelet concentration above the baseline, being considered as an endogenous therapeutic technology with the potential to stimulate and accelerate tissue healing.Objective : To evaluate the use of autologous platelet-rich plasma in the healing of surgical wounds in patients undergoing elective conventional cholecystectomy at the National General Hospital "Dr. Angel Larralde.Methods : Cohort, observational and analytical study, with an experimental, prospective design, longitudinal cut. Non-probabilistic, intentional sample, made up of patients adjusted to inclusion criteria. Data Collection Sheet designed with the Vancouver scales and the Objective Assessment of Patient and Observer. The results obtained were tabulated in a data matrix made with Microsoft®Excel and, later, presented by means of frequency distribution tables and graphs. For the analysis and interpretation of the results, the free license program SPSS 26® was used. The Chi Square statistic was used.Results : Total of 26 patients: study group with 11 patients, control group with 15 patients. The p value was calculated for both scales, resulting in˂ 0.05 in all observations. Conclusion : An evident satisfactory evolution was observed in the patients to whom the PRP was applied compared to the control group, so that it supports the premise that the PRP contributes to rapid healing, without complications and easy to obtain(AU)

Obstructive sleep apnea in surgical patients and its relationship with difficult intubation: two years of experience from a single center

Abstract Background and objectives: In this study, we aimed to determine the risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients undergoing elective surgery and its relationship with difficult intubation (DI). Methods: This prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2018 and February 2020 in the anesthesiology and reanimation service of a training and research hospital. The study included patients who were ASA I-II, 18 years of age, and older who underwent elective surgery under general anesthesia. A form regarding the baseline characteristics of the participants as well as STOP-Bang score, Mallampati, and Cormack-Lehane classification was used to collect the data. Results: The study included 307 patients. It was determined that 64.2% of patients had a high risk of OSA. The presence of DI (determined by repeated attempts at intubation) was 28.6% in the high-risk OSA group, while there was no DI in the low-risk OSA group. A statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of OSA risk according to the presence of DI according to repeated attempts, Cormack-Lehane classification, and Mallampati classification (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Due to the high rate of DI in patients with a high risk of OSA, the security of the airway in these patients is endangered. Early clinical recognition of OSA can help in designing a safer care plan.

Elective surgery after Covid-19: A narrative review of the literature / Cirugía electiva posterior a enfermedad por COVID-19: revisión narrativa de la literatura

Abstract By November 2021, at the time of preparing this article, the disease caused by the new coronavirus (Coronavirus Disease 2019 - COVID-19), declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020, had affected more than 128 million people and claimed upwards of 5 million lives. Many of the patients who suffered from this disease will need elective procedures, and this will require knowledge on how to perform the surgery, what tests to order and the extent of preoperative optimization. The objective of this work was to conduct a narrative review of the current evidence regarding time to the performance of an elective procedure in a patient who suffered from COVID-19, the preoperative tests that need to be ordered, and the degree of clinical optimization required according to the complexity of the surgery and individual patient clinical condition. A search was conducted in the Pubmed/Medline, Science Direct, OVID and SciELO databases, as well as in the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) web-based platforms. Although the evidence is still limited, different scientific societies have issued relevant guidelines pertaining to the timing of an elective procedure after COVID-19 infection. For patients who were asymptomatic, the time is 4 weeks after the initial diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2, whereas for symptomatic patients with a mild to moderate course, the time is at least 7 weeks, and 12 weeks if ICU admission was required. There are no guidelines pertaining to preoperative tests or the degree of clinical optimization, although institutional protocols have been developed based on expert consensus on the topic.

Resumen La enfermedad por el nuevo coronavirus COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) declarada pandemia por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) el 11 de marzo de 2020, ha registrado más de 128 millones de casos a escala mundial, con más de cinco millones de muertes a noviembre de 2021, fecha de elaboración de este artículo. Muchos de los pacientes que tuvieron esta enfermedad se someterán a procedimientos electivos, y es necesario saber realizar la cirugía, los exámenes por solicitar y el grado de optimización preoperatoria. El objetivo de este trabajo es elaborar una revisión narrativa de la evidencia actual respecto al tiempo de realización de un procedimiento electivo en un paciente que tuvo COVID-19, los exámenes preoperatorios que se deben solicitar y el grado de optimización clínica según la complejidad de la cirugía y el estado clínico del paciente. Para ello, se realizó una búsqueda en bases de datos (Pubmed/Medline, Science Direct, OVID, SciELO), así como en plataformas web de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) y los Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC). Aunque la evidencia aún es limitada, diferentes sociedades científicas han dado pautas relevantes respecto al tiempo de realización de un procedimiento electivo despues de sufrir COVID-19. Para el caso de pacientes que fueron asintomáticos es de 4 semanas después del diagnóstico de infección por SARS-CoV-2, mientras que para pacientes sintomáticos con un curso de la enfermedad leve a moderado es de mínimo 7 semanas, y de 12 semanas si requirió ingreso a cuidados intensivos. No hay guías que orienten en cuanto a la solicitud de exámenes preoperatorios y el grado de optimización clínica, pero sí protocolos institucionales basados en consenso de expertos que abordan esta temática.

Worsening Arthroplasty Utilization With Widening Racial Variance During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Elective arthroplasty surgery in the United States came to a near-complete halt in the spring of 2019 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Racial disparity has been a long-term concern in healthcare with increased focus during the pandemic. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of COVID-19 and race on arthroplasty utilization trends during the pandemic. METHODS: We used 2019 and 2020 Center for Medicare and Medicaid Service fee-for-service claims data to compare arthroplasty volumes prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We compared overall arthroplasty utilization rates between 2019 and 2020 and then sought to determine the effect of race and COVID-19, both independently and combined. RESULTS: There was a decrease in primary total knee arthroplasty (-28%), primary total hip arthroplasty (-14%), primary total hip arthroplasty for fracture (-2%), and revision arthroplasty (-14%) utilization between 2019 and 2020. The highest decrease in overall arthroplasty utilization was in the Hispanic population (34% decrease vs 19% decrease in the White population). We found that a non-White patient was 39.9% (P < .001) less likely to receive a total joint arthroplasty prior to COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the pre-existing racial differences in arthroplasty utilization by decreasing the probability of receiving a total joint arthroplasty for non-White patient by another 12.9% (P < .001). CONCLUSION: We found an overall decreased utilization rate of arthroplasty during the COVID-19 pandemic with further decrease noted in all non-White populations. This raises significant concern for worsening racial disparity in arthroplasty caused by the ongoing pandemic.

Risk factors associated to intestinal anastomotic leakage in elective surgery.

BACKGROUND: The intestinal anastomotic leakage is the most feared surgical complication of a digestive surgery and is associated with a significant increase of morbidity, mortality and hospital stay. OBJECTIVE: Analyze the risk factors to the intestinal anastomotic leakage in elective surgery. METHOD: Observational and retrospective study in which we include patients with intestinal anastomosis, in elective surgery at the second level hospital from January 2007 to January 2017. RESULTS: 64 patients were included in the study, in which 7 presented anastomotic leakage. The statistically significant risk factors associated with anastomotic leakage were, cocaine use (p = 0.030), neoplasia as a primary pathology (p = 0.008), neoadjuvant treatment for neoplasia (p = 0.003), and end-to-end anastomosis (p = 0.037). Patients with a leakage had a longer hospital stay and a mortality of 14.3%. CONCLUSIONS: The risk factors associated with the presence of anastomotic leakage found in this study are consistent with the reported worldwide literature. However, in our results, it is worth highlighting the use of cocaine as a risk factor, with statistical significance.

ANTECEDENTES: La fuga de una anastomosis intestinal es la complicación quirúrgica más temida de la cirugía digestiva y se asocia con un aumento significativo de la morbimortalidad y de la estancia hospitalaria. OBJETIVO: Analizar los factores de riesgo asociados a la fuga de anastomosis intestinal en cirugía electiva. MÉTODO: Estudio observacional y retrospectivo en el que se recabaron los expedientes de los pacientes operados de anastomosis intestinal en forma electiva en un hospital de segundo nivel de enero de 2007 a enero de 2017. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 64 pacientes, de los cuales siete presentaron fuga de la anastomosis. Los factores de riesgo asociados a fuga anastomótica estadísticamente significativos fueron consumo de cocaína (p = 0.030), neoplasia como patología primaria (p = 0.008), tratamiento con neoadyuvantes para neoplasia (p = 0.003) y anastomosis término-terminal (p = 0.037). Los pacientes con fuga tuvieron una estancia intrahospitalaria más prolongada y una mortalidad del 14.3%. CONCLUSIONES: Los factores de riesgo asociados con la presencia de fuga anastomótica encontrados en este estudio son consistentes con los reportados en la literatura mundial. Sin embargo, en nuestros resultados cabe destacar el uso de cocaína como factor de riesgo, con significancia estadística.

Perioperative care for major elective surgery: a survey of Brazilian physiotherapists / Cuidados perioperados de cirurgias eletivas de grande porte: um levantamento dos fisioterapeutas brasileiros

Abstract Introduction: Major surgeries are highly complex procedures and have a higher incidence of respiratory morbidity and mortality compared to other types of surgery. Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC) are common after such surgeries and are associated with increased hospital stay, health care costs and surgical patient mortality. Objective: To investigate the most commonly used physical therapy techniques for the prevention and treatment of PPC among thoracic and abdominal surgery patients in all regions of Brazil. Methods: A total of 489 randomly selected physiotherapists who provided perioperative care for patients undergoing elective abdominal, thoracic or cardiac surgeries participated in this study. A questionnaire with nine questions about routine care and therapeutic choices for the surgical population was developed and assessed by 10 specialists before being administered to the physiotherapists. Results: Among the physiotherapists (63% with at least 5 years of experience with surgical patients), 50.9% considered the patient's surgical risk in their treatment either always or often. A total of 53.8% patients were treated by the physiotherapist following a physician's prescription. The most mentioned physical therapy techniques used to prevent PPC were postoperative mobilization/exercises (59.3%), postoperative lung expansion (52.8%), and preoperative advice (50.7%). In addition, 80.6% of the physiotherapists believe that incentive spirometry prevents PPC, while 72.8% expected this effect from positive airway pressure devices. Conclusion: Most physiotherapists in Brazil who work with surgical patients offer preoperative professional advice, use postoperative early mobilization and lung expansion techniques to prevent PPC, and consider the patient's surgical risk during treatment. In addition, some physical therapy sessions are routinely performed preoperatively.

Resumo Introdução: As cirurgias de grande porte são procedimentos de alta complexidade, apresentando maior incidência de morbi-mortalidade respiratória em comparação com outros tipos de cirurgia. Complicações pulmonares pós-operatórias (CPP) são comuns após tais cirurgias e estão associadas ao aumento da permanência hospitalar, dos custos com saúde e da mortalidade do paciente. Objetivo: Investigar as técnicas de fisioterapia mais utilizadas em todas as regiões do Brasil para o tratamento das CPP após cirurgias torácicas e abdominais. Métodos: Participaram deste estudo 489 fisioterapeutas selecionados aleatoriamente, que atuam na assistência perioperatória de cirurgias eletivas abdominais, torácicas ou cardíacas. Um questionário com nove questões sobre cuidados de rotina e escolhas terapêuticas na população cirúrgica foi elaborado e avaliado por 10 especialistas antes de ser aplicado aos fisioterapeutas. Resultados: Entre os fisioterapeutas (63% com pelo menos 5 anos de experiência com pacientes cirúrgicos), 50,9% considera o risco cirúrgico do paciente em seu tratamento sempre ou frequentemente; 53,8% dos pacientes foram tratados pelo fisioterapeuta após prescrição médica. As técnicas fisioterapêuticas mais citadas para a prevenção de CPP foram: mobilização/exercícios pós-operatórios (59,3%), técnicas de expansão pulmonar pós-operatória (52,8%) e orientações pré-operatórias (50,7%). Além disso, 80,6% dos fisioterapeutas acreditam que a espirometria de incentivo previne CPP, assim como 72,8% esperam esse efeito da pressão positiva nas vias aéreas. Conclusão: A maioria dos fisioterapeutas que trabalham com pacientes cirúrgicos no Brasil utiliza orientações profissionais pré-operatórias e técnicas de mobilização precoce e expansão pulmonar pós-operatória com o objetivo de prevenir CPP. A maioria dos fisioterapeutas costuma considerar o risco cirúrgico do paciente durante o tratamento. Além disso, algumas sessões de fisioterapia são realizadas rotineiramente no pré-operatório.

Factores pronósticos de complicaciones en pacientes con cardiopatía isquémica sometidos a anestesia total intravenosa en cirugía electiva / Total intravenous anethesia in ischemic coronary patients: Prognosis factors

A prospective longitudinal cohort study was conducted in patients with ischemic heart disease undergoing total intravenous anesthesia in elective surgery at the "Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Bayamo Provincial Hospital, from the Cauto region during the period from January 1, 2015 to March 30, 2017; with the aim of identifying the risk factors hypothetically related to the prognosis of the appearance of anesthetic complications. The exposed cohort consisted of 47 patients who developed complications in the study period and met the inclusion criteria. To assess the association between the variables, the Mantel Chi-square test was used. The magnitude of the associations was estimated by calculating the relative risks (RR) of complications. The consumption of to- bacco as a toxic habit, the non-use of beta-blockers and statins were the surgical risk factors depending on the patient associated with the prognosis of the appearance of anesthetic complications; not so age. Comorbidity in patients with ischemic heart disease of diabetes mellitus, heart failure and arrhythmias, were associated with the appearance of anesthetic complications. The ASA III-IV classification and high-risk surgical procedures were the surgical risk factors based on the surgery related to the prognosis of anesthetic complications.

Se realizó un estudio longitudinal prospectivo de cohorte en pacientes con cardiopatía isquémica sometidos anestesia total intravenosa en cirugía electiva en el Hospital provincial "Carlos Manuel de Céspedes de Bayamo, procedentes de la región del Cauto durante el período comprendido desde el 1r de enero del 2015 hasta 30 de marzo de 2017. El objetivo era identificar los factores de riesgo hipotéticamente relacionados con el pronóstico de aparición de complicaciones anestésicas. La cohorte expuesta estuvo constituida por 47 pacientes que desarrollaron complicaciones en el período de estudio y cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. Para valorar la asociación entre las variables, se empleó el test de Ji al Cuadrado de Mantel. La magnitud de las asociaciones se estimó mediante el cálculo de los riesgos relativos (RR) de complicaciones. El consumo de tabaco como hábito tóxico, el no uso de beta-bloqueadores y estatinas se constituyeron en los factores de riesgo quirúrgico en función del enfermo, asociados con el pronóstico de aparición de complicaciones anestésicas; no así la edad. La comorbilidad en los pacientes con cardiopatía isquémica de diabetes mellitus, insuficiencia cardíaca y las arritmias, se asociaron a la aparición de complicaciones anestésicas. La clasificación ASA III-IV y los procedimientos quirúrgicos de alto riesgo fueron los factores de riesgo quirúrgico en función de la cirugía relacionados con el pronóstico de aparición de complicaciones anestésicas.

Recomendaciones pre- y posquirúrgicas en pacientes reumáticos / Pre and post-surgical recommendations in rheumatic patients

El acto quirúrgico constituye un elemento de estrés, principalmente en pacientes con enfermedades reumáticas en los que la actividad quirúrgica presenta características distintivas. Mantener un adecuado control de la actividad clínica de los pacientes con enfermedad reumática constituye un pilar fundamental para la recuperación posquirúrgica de las personas sometidas a cirugía electiva. Para ello es necesario orientar correctamente a los pacientes reumáticos tanto en el preoperatorio como en el posoperatorio. Solo de esta forma se logrará una adecuada recuperación quirúrgica sin poner en riesgo el control de la enfermedad reumática. El siguiente reporte tiene como objetivo describir las recomendaciones pre- y posquirúrgicas de la cirugía electiva en pacientes con enfermedades reumáticas, lo que permitirá orientar correctamente a las personas y disminuir la morbilidad relacionada con la realización de procedimientos quirúrgicos en los pacientes diagnosticados con enfermedades reumáticas(AU)

The surgical act constitutes an element of stress, mainly in patients with rheumatic diseases in whom the surgical activity presents distinctive characteristics. Maintaining adequate control of the clinical activity of patients with rheumatic disease constitutes a fundamental pillar for the post-surgical recovery of people undergoing elective surgery. For this, it is necessary to correctly guide rheumatic patients both preoperatively and postoperatively. Only from this will an adequate surgical recovery be achieved without jeopardizing the control of the rheumatic disease. The objective of the following report is to describe the pre and post-surgical recommendations for elective surgery in patients with rheumatic diseases, which will allow people to be correctly oriented and reduce the morbidity related to the performance of surgical procedures in patients diagnosed with rheumatic diseases(AU)

Association between government policy and delays in emergent and elective surgical care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: a modeling study.

BACKGROUND: The impact of public health policy to reduce the spread of COVID-19 on access to surgical care is poorly defined. We aim to quantify the surgical backlog during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Brazilian public health system and determine the relationship between state-level policy response and the degree of state-level delays in public surgical care. METHODS: Monthly estimates of surgical procedures performed per state from January 2016 to December 2020 were obtained from Brazil's Unified Health System Informatics Department. Forecasting models using historical surgical volume data before March 2020 (first reported COVID-19 case) were constructed to predict expected monthly operations from March through December 2020. Total, emergency, and elective surgical monthly backlogs were calculated by comparing reported volume to forecasted volume. Linear mixed effects models were used to model the relationship between public surgical delivery and two measures of health policy response: the COVID-19 Stringency Index (SI) and the Containment & Health Index (CHI) by state. FINDINGS: Between March and December 2020, the total surgical backlog included 1,119,433 (95% Confidence Interval 762,663-1,523,995) total operations, 161,321 (95%CI 37,468-395,478) emergent operations, and 928,758 (95%CI 675,202-1,208,769) elective operations. Increased SI and CHI scores were associated with reductions in emergent surgical delays but increases in elective surgical backlogs. The maximum government stringency (score = 100) reduced emergency delays to nearly zero but tripled the elective surgical backlog. INTERPRETATION: Strong health policy efforts to contain COVID-19 ensure minimal reductions in delivery of emergent surgery, but dramatically increase elective backlogs. Additional coordinated government efforts will be necessary to specifically address the increased elective backlogs that accompany stringent responses.

Patient Perceptions of COVID-19 Precautions and Their Effects on Experiences With Hand Surgery.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate patient perceptions of COVID-19 precautions and how these precautions have affected their hand and upper extremity surgery experience. METHODS: We sent an 18-item survey to 1,213 patients who underwent elective hand and upper extremity surgery at 1 academic institution from October 2020 to January 2021. The survey consisted of questions related to patient demographics, treatment delays due to COVID-19, and patient perceptions of COVID-19 precautions. Descriptive statistics were performed to analyze the survey responses. Responses for patients aged 18-50 and 51+ were compared using a chi-square analysis for categorical variables and a Student t-test for continuous variables. RESULTS: Out of 1,213 invitations, 384 survey respondents completed the survey (31.6%). Of the respondents, 16.8% reported delaying medical treatment for an average of 123.2 days because of COVID-19. The preventative measures were found to be adequate by 95% of patients. Only 2.6% of patients reported experiencing surgical delays due to preoperative COVID-19 testing or other COVID-19-related precautions. COVID-19 testing was seen as necessary by 88% of patients, and 74% did not find COVID-19 testing to be a barrier to their surgery. Patients aged 51+ were more likely to delay seeking medical treatment than younger patients (19.3% vs 9.1%, respectively). Furthermore, those that did delay seeking treatment waited longer on average than their younger counterparts (136.1 vs 72.9 days, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, patients undergoing hand and upper extremity surgery typically do not find COVID-19 precautions to be a significant barrier to care and understand their importance. Despite this, many patients, particularly older ones, are delaying medical care for extended periods of time. It is important for hand surgeons to acknowledge their patients' perspectives and work to educate patients on evolving surgical safety guidelines. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Patient perspectives of current COVID-19 precautions can help inform hand surgeons on areas for continued patient education.

Análise das cirurgias realizadas no Hospital Infantil Joana de Gusmão, antes e após a pandemia do novo corona vírus / Analysis of surgeries performed at the Joana de Gusmão Child's Hospital, before and after the new corona virus pandemic

Introduction: The Joana de Gusmão Children's Hospital is a leading pediatric hospital in Santa Catarina, However, with the pandemic caused by the new Coronavirus, experienced in 2020, the profile of care has changed due to the suspension of elective surgeries in the State of Santa Catarina. Objectives: To analyze the incidence and profile of elective, urgent and emergent procedures performed by the Pediatric Surgery service, at the Joana de Gusmão Children's Hospital, comparing the period before and during the pandemic. Method: A Retrospective descriptive study conducted between September 2019 and September 2020, using data from the Medical and Statistical Archive Service at the Joana de Gusmão Children's Hospital. Elective, urgent and emergent surgical procedures were compared, quantitatively, six months before and six months during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: 1.035 operations were performed by the Pediatric Surgery Service, six months before the pandemic: 610 were elective procedures (59,93%) and 425 urgent and emergent procedures (41,06%). On the other hand, during the pandemic, there was a total of 589 operations, from which 128 elective (21,73%) and 461 urgent and emergent surgical procedures (78,26%). Most of these procedures, both urgent and elective, in both periods, were among four topics of study. Conclusion: There was a significant reduction in the number of surgeries performed during the pandemic, mainly due to an important decrease in elective surgeries. There was also a slight increase in the number of emergency surgeries.

Introdução: O Hospital Infantil Joana de Gusmão (HIJG), é um hospital pediátrico de referência em Santa Catarina. Contudo, com a pandemia causada pelo novo Coronavírus, vivenciada neste ano de 2020, o perfil de atendimentos teve alterações, devido à suspensão de cirurgias eletivas no Estado de Santa Catarina. Objetivos: Analisar a incidência e tipos de procedimentos eletivos, de urgência e emergência realizados pelo serviço de Cirurgia Pediátrica, no HIJG, no período antes da pandemia comparando com o mesmo período durante a pandemia. Método: Estudo retrospectivo descritivo horizontal realizado entre setembro de 2019 e setembro de 2020, utilizando dados acessados através do Serviço de Arquivo Médico e Estatístico (SAME) do HIJG. Foram comparados os procedimentos cirúrgicos eletivos, de urgência e emergência, de forma quantitativa, por seis meses antes; e seis meses seguintes durante a pandemia do COVID-19. Resultados: Foram realizadas 1.035 operações pelo Serviço de Cirurgia Pediátrica, no período seis meses antes da pandemia: 610 procedimentos eletivos (59,93%)e 425 procedimentos de urgência e emergência (41,06%). Enquanto que, no período durante a pandemia, foram 589 operações, no total, sendo 128 eletivas (21,73%) e 461 procedimentos cirúrgicos de urgência e emergência ( 78,26%). Destes números, a maioria dos procedimentos tanto de urgência como eletivos, nos dois períodos, ficaram entre quatro tópicos do estudo. Conclusão: Observou-se redução significativa no número de cirurgias realizadas, às custas, principalmente, de uma importante diminuição das cirurgias eletivas. Também se verificou um discreto aumento no número de cirurgias de urgência.

Causas implicadas en la suspensión de pacientes tributarios para cirugía electiva / Causes for the suspension of elective surgery for eligible patients

Introducción: La suspensión de la intervención quirúrgica es una situación que ocasiona inconvenientes, va en contra de optimizar las actividades, reducir costos, evitar la pérdida de materiales y desarrollar el trabajo con la más alta calidad. Objetivo: Describir las principales causas implicadas en la suspensión de los pacientes tributarios para cirugía electiva. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal en el Hospital General Docente Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso de Santiago de Cuba, en el periodo comprendido de septiembre 2017-septiembre 2018. De una población de 4 511 cirugías anunciadas, se tomó una muestra de 1 289 pacientes que fueron suspendidos en la consulta de anestesia y en el preoperatorio inmediato. Resultados: La especialidad de cirugía general presenta el indicador más alto (26,9 por ciento) del total de las suspensiones en consulta, así de las 798 suspensiones en la consulta 476 (59,6 por ciento) fueron debidas a los pacientes, 341 por causas médicas (42,7 por ciento), es decir, más de la mitad de las suspensiones obedecieron a las alteraciones clínicas. Se le atribuye al hospital 386 suspensiones para 29,9 por ciento del total de las suspensiones. Conclusiones: La incidencia de las suspensiones anestésico-quirúrgicas es elevada tanto en la consulta anestésica como en el preoperatorio inmediato. Estas, junto a las causas relacionadas con el paciente, constituyen la experiencia práctica médico-asistencial más relevantes y es de tener en consideración por el anestesiólogo actuante, fundamentalmente ante la presencia de enfermos aquejados de comorbilidades cardiovasculares(AU)

Introduction: Suspension of the surgical intervention is a situation that causes inconveniences, goes against optimizing activities, reducing costs, avoiding loss of materials and developing the work with the highest quality. Objective: To describe the main causes for the suspension of elective surgery for eligible patients. Methods: A cross-sectional and descriptive study was carried out at Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso General Teaching Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, in the period from September 2017 to September 2018. From a population of 4511 announced surgeries, a sample of 1289 patients was taken, who were interrupted for surgery during the anesthesia consultation and in the immediate preoperative period. Results: The specialty of general surgery presents the highest indicator (26.9 percent) of the total number of suspensions during consultation; thus, of the 798 suspensions during consultation, 476 (59.6 percent) were due to patients, and 341 were due to medical causes (42.7 percent), that is, more than half of the suspensions owed to clinical alterations. The hospital was attributed 386 suspensions, accounting for 29.9 percent of the total. Conclusions: The incidence of anesthetic-surgical suspensions is high both during anesthesiology consultation and in the immediate preoperative period. These, together with the causes related to the patient, constitute the most relevant medical-assistance practical experience and must be taken into consideration by the acting anesthesiologist, mainly in the presence of patients suffering from cardiovascular comorbidities(AU)