Evolving trends in the management of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 waves. The ACIE appy II study

Background: In 2020, ACIE Appy study showed that COVID-19 pandemic heavily affected the management of patients with acute appendicitis (AA) worldwide, with an increased rate of non-operative management (NOM) strategies and a trend toward open surgery due to concern of virus transmission by laparoscopy and controversial recommendations on this issue. The aim of this study was to survey again the same group of surgeons to assess if any difference in management attitudes of AA had occurred in the later stages of the outbreak. Methods: From August 15 to September 30, 2021, an online questionnaire was sent to all 709 participants of the ACIE Appy study. The questionnaire included questions on personal protective equipment (PPE), local policies and screening for SARS-CoV-2 infection, NOM, surgical approach and disease presentations in 2021. The results were compared with the results from the previous study. Results: A total of 476 answers were collected (response rate 67.1%). Screening policies were significatively improved with most patients screened regardless of symptoms (89.5% vs. 37.4%) with PCR and antigenic test as the preferred test (74.1% vs. 26.3%). More patients tested positive before surgery and commercial systems were the preferred ones to filter smoke plumes during laparoscopy. Laparoscopic appendicectomy was the first option in the treatment of AA, with a declined use of NOM. Conclusion: Management of AA has improved in the last waves of pandemic. Increased evidence regarding SARS-COV-2 infection along with a timely healthcare systems response has been translated into tailored attitudes and a better care for patients with AA worldwide

The impact of surgical delay on resectability of colorectal cancer: An international prospective cohort study

AIM: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to explore the impact of surgical delays on cancer resectability. This study aimed to compare resectability for colorectal cancer patients undergoing delayed versus non-delayed surgery. METHODS: This was an international prospective cohort study of consecutive colorectal cancer patients with a decision for curative surgery (January-April 2020). Surgical delay was defined as an operation taking place more than 4 weeks after treatment decision, in a patient who did not receive neoadjuvant therapy. A subgroup analysis explored the effects of delay in elective patients only. The impact of longer delays was explored in a sensitivity analysis. The primary outcome was complete resection, defined as curative resection with an R0 margin. RESULTS: Overall, 5453 patients from 304 hospitals in 47 countries were included, of whom 6.6% (358/5453) did not receive their planned operation. Of the 4304 operated patients without neoadjuvant therapy, 40.5% (1744/4304) were delayed beyond 4 weeks. Delayed patients were more likely to be older, men, more comorbid, have higher body mass index and have rectal cancer and early stage disease. Delayed patients had higher unadjusted rates of complete resection (93.7% vs. 91.9%, P = 0.032) and lower rates of emergency surgery (4.5% vs. 22.5%, P < 0.001). After adjustment, delay was not associated with a lower rate of complete resection (OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.90-1.55, P = 0.224), which was consistent in elective patients only (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.69-1.27, P = 0.672). Longer delays were not associated with poorer outcomes. CONCLUSION: One in 15 colorectal cancer patients did not receive their planned operation during the first wave of COVID-19. Surgical delay did not appear to compromise resectability, raising the hypothesis that any reduction in long-term survival attributable to delays is likely to be due to micro-metastatic disease

Extensive gunshot wound to the face: a case report

Facial fractures caused by gunshots are a major challenge for oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Underdeveloped countries present a higher rate of homicides committed by gunshots than developed countries. This case report presents a 25 year-old male victim of a gunshot wound to the mandible, evolving into a complex fracture. The fracture was treated using rigid internal fixation. After 18 months of follow-up, the patient presents good facial appearance and masticatory activity. The gunshot caused the permanent paralysis of the right mandibular branch of the facial nerve. We managed to preserve the involved teeth and mandibular integrity, with complete bone healing. Despite the late infection following plate fixation, healing occurred without further complications, indicating that blood supply was maintained.As fraturas faciais causadas por arma de fogo são um grande desafio para o cirurgião oral e maxilofacial. Os países subdesenvolvidos apresentam uma taxa maior de homicídios cometidos por arma de fogo do que os países desenvolvidos. Este relato de caso apresenta um paciente do sexo masculino, 25 anos, vítima de ferimento por arma de fogo na mandíbula, evoluindo para fratura complexa. A fratura foi tratada com fixação interna rígida. Após 18 meses de seguimento, o paciente apresenta boa aparência facial e atividade mastigatória. O tiro causou paralisia permanente do ramo mandibular direito do nervo facial. Conseguimos preservar os dentes envolvidos e a integridade mandibular, com cicatrização óssea completa. Apesar da infecção tardia após a fixação da placa, a cicatrização ocorreu sem complicações adicionais, indicando que o suprimento de sangue foi mantido

Assistência multiprofissional em unidade de terapia intensiva ao paciente portador de síndrome de Prader-Willi: um enfoque odontológico

A síndrome de Prader-Willi (SPW) é uma doença neurocomportamental genética que afeta o desenvolvimento da criança, resultando em obesidade, estatura reduzida, hipotonia, distúrbios endócrinos e déficit cognitivo que podem comprometer a integridade da cavidade oral. O presente estudo tem como finalidade apresentar um caso de paciente branco, masculino, 15 anos de idade portador da referida síndrome cujo exame clínico intra-oral evidenciou presença de placa bacteriana, gengivite, má-oclusão, salivação viscosa e múltiplas lesões ulceradas em lábio, mucosa jugal, gengiva inserida, dorso e ventre lingual e lesões papulares ulceradas em borda lateral da língua. Após realização de biópsia excisional, foi constatada a presença de lesão herpética em cavidade oral e lesões cutâneas típicas do herpes que foram associadas a possível causa de encefalite herpética. Assim, observou-se que grande parcela dos efeitos deletérios da SPW podem ser amenizados com o diagnóstico correto e intervenções terapêuticas e educacionais precoces, sendo importante a atuação de uma equipe multiprofissional integrada e o desenvolvimento de protocolos assistenciais para melhor manejo dos pacientes portadores da síndrome de Prader-Willi

Trauma traqueal associado à fratura mandibular: relato de caso

Introduction: The mandibular injuries account for about 20% to 50% of cases of facial fractures. Some consider the jaw the second most commonly fractured bone of the skull, and is the only mobile bone of the facial framework, which results in decreased stability compared to the trauma. When one takes into account the degree of airway obstruction in patients with facial fractures, the problem becomes much more serious since it is one of the most troubling complications of trauma. Objective: the relevance of the topic is aimed to report a case of a patient victim of mandibular fracture associated with trauma to the trachea. Case report: Case report: Patient 24 years old patient with tracheal trauma concomitant mandibular fracture surgically treated in conjunction with the thoracic surgeon. After 5 months postoperatively, the patient is in good condition general, no complaints. Final comments: This form is observed that the key to proper treatment of tracheal trauma associated with facial fractures is the knowledge of the type of injury, and an accurate diagnosis multidisciplinary.Introdução: As injúrias mandibulares correspondem a cerca de 20% a 50% dos casos de fraturas faciais. Alguns consideram a mandíbula o segundo osso do crânio mais fraturado, além de ser o único osso móvel do arcabouço facial, o que resulta na diminuição da estabilidade frente ao trauma. Quando se leva em consideração a obstrução de vias aéreas em pacientes com fraturas faciais, a problemática torna-se muito mais grave já que se trata de uma das mais preocupantes complicações em traumatologia. Objetivo: Diante da relevância do tema é objetivo relatar um caso clínico de paciente vítima de fratura mandibular associada a trauma de traqueia. Relato de caso: Paciente de 24 anos de idade portador de trauma traqueal concomitante a fratura mandibular por coice animal tratado cirurgicamente em conjunto ao cirurgião torácico. Após 5 meses de pós-operatório, o paciente encontra-se em bom estado geral, sem queixas. Comentários finais: Desta forma é observado que a chave para o correto tratamento de trauma traqueal associado a fraturas faciais é o conhecimento do tipo de injúria, além de um acurado diagnóstico multidisciplinar

Evolving trends in the management of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 waves. The ACIE appy II study (vol 46, pg 2021, 2022)

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Global attitudes in the management of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 pandemic: ACIE Appy Study

Background: Surgical strategies are being adapted to face the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommendations on the management of acute appendicitis have been based on expert opinion, but very little evidence is available. This study addressed that dearth with a snapshot of worldwide approaches to appendicitis. Methods: The Association of Italian Surgeons in Europe designed an online survey to assess the current attitude of surgeons globally regarding the management of patients with acute appendicitis during the pandemic. Questions were divided into baseline information, hospital organization and screening, personal protective equipment, management and surgical approach, and patient presentation before versus during the pandemic. Results: Of 744 answers, 709 (from 66 countries) were complete and were included in the analysis. Most hospitals were treating both patients with and those without COVID. There was variation in screening indications and modality used, with chest X-ray plus molecular testing (PCR) being the commonest (19\ub78 per cent). Conservative management of complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis was used by 6\ub76 and 2\ub74 per cent respectively before, but 23\ub77 and 5\ub73 per cent, during the pandemic (both P < 0\ub7001). One-third changed their approach from laparoscopic to open surgery owing to the popular (but evidence-lacking) advice from expert groups during the initial phase of the pandemic. No agreement on how to filter surgical smoke plume during laparoscopy was identified. There was an overall reduction in the number of patients admitted with appendicitis and one-third felt that patients who did present had more severe appendicitis than they usually observe. Conclusion: Conservative management of mild appendicitis has been possible during the pandemic. The fact that some surgeons switched to open appendicectomy may reflect the poor guidelines that emanated in the early phase of SARS-CoV-2

Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), Far Detector Technical Design Report, Volume I Introduction to DUNE

International audienceThe preponderance of matter over antimatter in the early universe, the dynamics of the supernovae that produced the heavy elements necessary for life, and whether protons eventually decay—these mysteries at the forefront of particle physics and astrophysics are key to understanding the early evolution of our universe, its current state, and its eventual fate. The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) is an international world-class experiment dedicated to addressing these questions as it searches for leptonic charge-parity symmetry violation, stands ready to capture supernova neutrino bursts, and seeks to observe nucleon decay as a signature of a grand unified theory underlying the standard model. The DUNE far detector technical design report (TDR) describes the DUNE physics program and the technical designs of the single- and dual-phase DUNE liquid argon TPC far detector modules. This TDR is intended to justify the technical choices for the far detector that flow down from the high-level physics goals through requirements at all levels of the Project. Volume I contains an executive summary that introduces the DUNE science program, the far detector and the strategy for its modular designs, and the organization and management of the Project. The remainder of Volume I provides more detail on the science program that drives the choice of detector technologies and on the technologies themselves. It also introduces the designs for the DUNE near detector and the DUNE computing model, for which DUNE is planning design reports. Volume II of this TDR describes DUNE's physics program in detail. Volume III describes the technical coordination required for the far detector design, construction, installation, and integration, and its organizational structure. Volume IV describes the single-phase far detector technology. A planned Volume V will describe the dual-phase technology