Purpose:To test the hypothesis that needlescopic cholecystectomies (NC) offer superior outcomes in comparison to common laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LC). Methods: Sixty consecutive patients with gallbladder disease undergoing either LC or NC were evaluated with respect to differences in operative time, frequency of per-operative incidents, post-operative pain, late postoperative symptoms, length of scars and level of postoperative satisfaction. Results: Mean operative time was similar in both groups. Most of the patients, irrespective of the technique, informed mild postoperative pain. NC patients had lower levels of pain on the 7 th postoperative day (PO7) (p<0.01) and decreased need for additional analgesia. Less frequency of epigastric wound pain was observed in NC patients until PO4 (p<0.01). Aesthetic result was far superior after NC (total length of scars less than half after LC). No differences regarding postoperative satisfaction with the operation were observed between the studied groups. Conclusions: Both techniques were safe and effective, presenting similar operative times and low levels of postoperative pain. Downsizing the ports to 2-3 mm was associated with significantly less frequency of postoperative pain only in the epigastric wound until PO4. Aesthetic outcome of NC was significantly superior to LC, although this advantage did not influence patient level of satisfaction Key words: Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic. Pain Postoperative. RESUMOObjetivo: Testar a hipótese de que colecistectomias agulhascópicas oferecem resultados superiores aos da colecistectomia laparoscópica usual (CL). Métodos: Sessenta pacientes consecutivos com colecistopatia submetidos à CA ou CV foram avaliados quanto ao tempo operatório, freqüência de acidentes peroperatórios, dor pós-operatória, sintomas pós-operatórios tardios, comprimento das cicatrizes e grau de satisfação. Resultados: O tempo operatório médio foi semelhante em ambos os grupos. A maioria dos pacientes, independentemente da técnica, relataram dor pós-operatória leve. Aqueles operados por CA tiveram menores níveis de dor no 7º dia de pós-operatório (PO7) (p<0.01) e menor necessidade de analgesia adicional. Menor freqüência de dor epigástrica foi observada no grupo CA até o PO4 (p<0.01). O resultado estético foi amplamente superior após CA (comprimento total das cicatrizes menor que a metade após CL). Não houve diferença quanto ao grau de satisfação entre os grupos. Conclusões: As duas técnicas foram seguras e eficazes, apresentando tempos operatórios semelhantes e baixos níveis de dor pós-operatória. A redução dos portais para 2-3 mm associou-se a menor freqüência de dor pós-operatória apenas na incisão epigástrica até o PO4. O resultado estético da agulhascopia foi significantemente superior ao da laparoscopia, apesar desta vantagem não ter influenciado o grau de satisfação dos doentes. Descritores: Colecistectomia Laparoscópica. Dor Pós-Operatória.

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ARTICLE INFO _________________________________________________________ ___________________Purpose: To analyze the influence of urethral mobility and Valsalva leak point pressure on postoperative outcomes of transobturator sling (TOT) for female stress urinary incontinence. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort was conducted including 66 patients submitted to TOT from March 2006 to May 2009. Urethral hypermobility was defined as mobility ≥ 30º on Q-tip test, and Valsalva leak point pressure (VLPP) was classified as greater than 60 cmH 2 O or 60 and less on preoperative urodynamics. These parameters were compared through well defined postoperative objective and subjective success criteria. Intensity of urinary leakage and quality of life was analysed by ICIQ-SF. Statistical analysis was accomplished and the results rendered significant if p < 0.05. Results: Mean follow up was 10 months (3 to 28). Mean age was 55 years (33 to 80), 70% were white and 30% African descendent, mean body mass index was 27 (21 to 38), average vaginal and abdominal deliveries were 2.8 and 0.5 respectively. A quarter had prior stress incontinence surgery. Patients with urethral hypermobility had higher objective success rates (98% versus 81.25%, p = 0.04). The subjective success rate was also greater in the hypermobility group (84% versus 62.5%), but statistical significance was not reached (p = 0.07). VLPP had no influence on either objective or subjective postoperative success rates (p = 0.17 and 0.34, respectively). In the subgroup analysis, those with low mobility and high VLPP had worse objective success rates in comparison to the group with hypermobility and low VLPP (p = 0.04) and also in relation to the remaining of the studied population. Other possible prognostic factors (previous surgery, mixed incontinence, gestational status) had no influence on success rates. Conclusions: High urethral mobility, regardless of the sphincteric status indicated by VLPP, is a favorable prognostic factor for tension-free transobturator tape procedure. No relationship was demonstrated between postoperative success rates and VLPP.

Traumatic amputation of the hand is an incapacitating injury, requiring skilled surgical care. Achieving functional recovery in addition to salvage of the amputated extremity should be the goal of the patient care team, after the life of the patient is secured. This is a report of the first five cases of hand replantation after complete traumatic amputation in Manaus (Amazonas, Brazil), carried out at Hospital Pronto-Socorro Dr. João Lúcio Pereira Machado. The patients were all young males, mean age of 22.8 years, presenting at the emergency room with complete sharp amputation of the hand. After initial procedures according to the ATLS® protocol, the following surgical actions were taken: heparinization of the blood vessels of the amputated extremity, fixation of the bones, wide opening of the carpal tunnel, primary vascular anastomoses and repair of nerves and tendons. In four cases, viability and partial functional recovery of the replanted hands were achieved. The unsuccessful case was due to extensive venous thrombosis.Through this preliminary experience, we can state that hand replantation can be performed successfully in a nonspecialized hospital and that optimal results depend on adequate prehospital care, multidisciplinary surgical treatment and careful postoperative assistance.

Cardiac stab wounds were associated with lower mortality, cardiac lesions grade IV were associated with higher mortality and a shorter operative time was associated with greater severity and mortality.

Background: Rotterdam Scoring System (RSS) is a head computed tomography (CT) -based system for evaluating Traumatic brain injury (TBI). This system provides a better estimation of disease prognosis. Our objective was to study the sequential changes in RSS following the evacuation of acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) and evaluate if these changes were associated with 14-day mortality and in-hospital mortality. Methods: This is a retrospective study from a prospective database registry of TBI patients. Results: Pre-and Post-op RSS represented a higher association with 14-day mortality (p=0.01 and p=0.004, respectively)) and in-hospital mortality (p=0.01 and p=0.001, respectively). Pupils and post-op RSS were the independent predictors for in-hospital mortality (OR=1.99, 95%CI 1.14-3.48, p=0.015). Conclusion: The postoperative RSS is a promising tool for evaluating prognosis in patients submitted to the evacuation of ASDH.