Background Surgery is the main modality of cure for solid cancers and was prioritised to continue during COVID-19 outbreaks. This study aimed to identify immediate areas for system strengthening by comparing the delivery of elective cancer surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic in periods of lockdown versus light restriction. Methods This international, prospective, cohort study enrolled 20 006 adult (≥18 years) patients from 466 hospitals in 61 countries with 15 cancer types, who had a decision for curative surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic and were followed up until the point of surgery or cessation of follow-up (Aug 31, 2020). Average national Oxford COVID-19 Stringency Index scores were calculated to define the government response to COVID-19 for each patient for the period they awaited surgery, and classified into light restrictions (index <20), moderate lockdowns (20–60), and full lockdowns (>60). The primary outcome was the non-operation rate (defined as the proportion of patients who did not undergo planned surgery). Cox proportional-hazards regression models were used to explore the associations between lockdowns and non-operation. Intervals from diagnosis to surgery were compared across COVID-19 government response index groups. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT04384926 . Findings Of eligible patients awaiting surgery, 2003 (10·0%) of 20 006 did not receive surgery after a median follow-up of 23 weeks (IQR 16–30), all of whom had a COVID-19-related reason given for non-operation. Light restrictions were associated with a 0·6% non-operation rate (26 of 4521), moderate lockdowns with a 5·5% rate (201 of 3646; adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0·81, 95% CI 0·77–0·84; p<0·0001), and full lockdowns with a 15·0% rate (1775 of 11 827; HR 0·51, 0·50–0·53; p<0·0001). In sensitivity analyses, including adjustment for SARS-CoV-2 case notification rates, moderate lockdowns (HR 0·84, 95% CI 0·80–0·88; p<0·001), and full lockdowns (0·57, 0·54–0·60; p<0·001), remained independently associated with non-operation. Surgery beyond 12 weeks from diagnosis in patients without neoadjuvant therapy increased during lockdowns (374 [9·1%] of 4521 in light restrictions, 317 [10·4%] of 3646 in moderate lockdowns, 2001 [23·8%] of 11 827 in full lockdowns), although there were no differences in resectability rates observed with longer delays. Interpretation Cancer surgery systems worldwide were fragile to lockdowns, with one in seven patients who were in regions with full lockdowns not undergoing planned surgery and experiencing longer preoperative delays. Although short-term oncological outcomes were not compromised in those selected for surgery, delays and non-operations might lead to long-term reductions in survival. During current and future periods of societal restriction, the resilience of elective surgery systems requires strengthening, which might include...

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IntroductionThe management of esophageal strictures has evolved from surgical treatment to the endoscopic dilation and, more recently, esophageal stenting.Clinical caseWe describe a case of a two-year-old boy with a double stenosis of the esophagus resulting from accidental ingestion of strong alkaline liquid. After several unsuccessful endoscopic dilations for three years and even topical mitomicin, it was decided to place a dynamic stent developed by the Digestive Surgery and Endoscopic Unit of the Bambino Gesù Hospital, Rome. The stent is a custom silicon device built coaxially on a nasogastric tube that is inserted after stricture dilations, by endoscopic guidance, and then fixed outside the nose. The device was removed after seven weeks with good clinical outcome (no dysphagia more than a year of follow-up).ConclusionThis case confirms that the dynamic stent is a simple device that may avoid aggressive surgical substitution in cases of refractory strictures.

IntroductionInflammatory bowel disease may cause both intestinal and extraintestinal manifestations. Respiratory symptoms in ulcerative colitis are rare and tracheal involvement is exceedingly rare in children.Case 1Sixteen year-old female with a 4-week-complaint of abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, fever and cough. The investigation was consistent with the diagnosis of concomitant ulcerative colitis/coinfection to Escherichia coli. On day 4 respiratory signs persisted so azithromycin and inhaled corticosteroids were added. By day 6 she progressed to respiratory failure and was diagnosed with necrotic tracheitis so started on intravenous steroids with fast clinical improvement.Case 2Twelve-year-old male adolescent with ulcerative colitis and sclerosing cholangitis started dry cough and throat pain 10 days after diagnosis. Laboratory investigations showed increased inflammatory signs and normal chest X-ray. He started treatment with azithromycin without clinical improvement and on day five he presented dyspnea and fever. Laryngeal fibroscopy suggested tracheitis and so systemic steroids where added with fast clinical and analytic improvement.DiscussionTracheitis should be suspected if there are persistent respiratory symptoms even when exams are normal. Early recognition and early treatment are essential for a good prognosis preventing progression to respiratory failure.

A relação entre asma e a COVID -19 ainda não está esclarecida. Neste artigo, revemos as publicações disponíveis sobre a relação entre estas duas doenças à data de submissão do artigo. Os estudos preliminares não encontraram uma associação definitiva entre a asma e o risco de infeção por SARS -CoV -2 ou de evolução para COVID -19 grave, embora existam diferenças importantes entre estudos realizados em várias localizações. A infeção por SARS -CoV -2 não parece ser causadora de exacerbações de asma, nem alguns sinais característicos de asma, como a sibilância, têm sido descritos nos estudos sobre COVID -19. A suscetibilidade e risco de COVID -19 grave entre os doentes com asma poderá ser diferente dependendo da idade, da gravidade da doença, do grau de controlo, do seu fenótipo ou endótipo, ou do tipo de tratamento implementado. Estudos dirigidos a doentes com asma serão fundamentais para determinar o real impacto da COVID -19 nestes doentes.