Introduction. Appendicitis is the leading cause of surgical acute abdomen in pediatrics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, management strategies were reassessed and the number of visits to the emergency department dropped down, which may be associated with delayed diagnoses and complications. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of the pandemic on children with acute appendicitis. Methods. Analytical, retrospective, comparative study of pediatric patients with acute appendicitis in the 5 months of COVID-19 lockdown versus the same period in the previous year. Incidence, clinical data, stage, surgical approach, and complications were analyzed. Results. The total number of appendicitis cases went down by 25 % (n = 67 versus n = 50 in 2020). The mean time to consultation was 24 hours in both periods (p = 0.989). The incidence of peritonitis was 44 % (n = 22) versus 37 % (n = 22) (p = 0.22) in 2019. No differences were observed in terms of appendicitis stage based on surgery reports. In 2019, all surgeries were laparoscopic; while in 2020, only 42 % (n = 21). The incidence of complications was 6 % versus 7.5 % in the previous period (p = 0.75). One patient was COVID-19 positive.
Conclusion.Although in our population the number of appendicitis cases dropped down, consultation was not delayed. The greater impact was associated with the reformulation of management strategies, in which the laparoscopic approach is avoided to reduce virus transmission.
Purpose To analyze the initial impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on surgical skills training and performance of Pediatric Surgery Residents. Methods Retrospective study considering the modifications on the Pediatric Surgery Residency training from March 1st-May 31st, 2020. Exposure to OR learning opportunities was compared to the same 2018-2019 trimesters. An anonymous survey about self-perception on surgical skills development was also performed. Results Residents performed 209 procedures as leading surgeons during the 2020 trimester with a mean number of surgeries per resident of 20.9, representing a reduction of 46% and 56.8% compared to the 2018-2019 averages, respectively. Reduction in both the number and the percentage of total procedures (n: 209, 56.8%) compared to both 2019 (n: 354, 68.7%, p: 0.000272) and 2018 (n: 420, 76.1%, p < 0,00,001) showed statistical correlation with no changes in their complexity pattern. From the survey (response rate: 100%), hours dedicated to simulation-based training were highly increased. More time was spent studying, but only 60% achieved better preparation for surgery and 70% perceived a decrease in surgical confidence. Conclusions Even though the pandemic promoted new teaching strategies and the use of simulation-based training, it drastically reduced "on-the-job" learning opportunities with potential effects on residents' performance and self-confidence during surgery.
Arch Argent Pediatr 2018;116(2):e292-e295 / e292Presentación de casos clínicos RESUMEN La ruptura diafragmática es una entidad relativamente infrecuente en pediatría que se puede presentar como consecuencia de un traumatismo de alto impacto. Solo entre el 25% y el 50% de los casos es detectado en la evaluación inicial del paciente, lo que aumenta el riesgo de complicaciones. En este trabajo, se presenta el caso de una paciente asintomática, de 8 años de edad, que, tras un accidente vehicular y la evaluación inicial en otro centro, fue derivada a nuestra Institución para el control evolutivo. A las 36 horas del ingreso, presentó hipoventilación pulmonar izquierda. La tomografía demostró un ascenso intratorácico del ángulo esplénico del colon y asas de intestino delgado. Se efectuó la exploración y el tratamiento quirúrgico. Los controles radiográficos diferidos no mostraron signos de recidiva.
Palabras clave: ruptura diafragmática, traumatismo múltiple, hernia diafragmática, pediatría.ABSTRACT Diaphragmatic rupture is a relatively uncommon entity in pediatrics that can occur as a result of a high-impact trauma. Only between 25 and 50% of the cases are detected in the initial evaluation of the patient, which increases the risk of complications. This paper presents the case of an asymptomatic 8-year-old patient who was referred to our institution after a vehicular accident. A day and a half after admission, a left pulmonary hypoventilation was detected. Computed tomography scan showed intrathoracic elevation of the splenic angle of the colon and the small bowel. Surgical exploration and treatment were performed. Deferred radiographic controls showed no signs of relapse.
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