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Tomasicchio G, Giove C, Dezi A, Picciariello A, Lantone V, Martines G, De Fazio M, Rinaldi M. The management of low trans-sphincteric anal fistula during the COVID-19 pandemic: revisiting the role of the seton. Updates Surg 2024; 76:163-167. [PMID: 38123906 DOI: 10.1007/s13304-023-01713-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The management of trans-sphincteric anal fistula (TAF) includes several surgical options; however, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the access to the operating rooms was severely limited, leaving only the choice of minimally invasive procedures. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the slow cutting seton technique for TAF performed in an outpatient setting during the COVID-19 pandemic.Patients treated for TAF between January 2020 and July 2022 and followed-up for at least 12 months were retrospectively evaluated. A vascular silicone tie used as seton was positioned in the fistula tract using a Lockhart-Mummery fistula probe. The seton was maintained in moderate tension until the sphincter muscle was passed. Percentage and time for healing, recurrence, SF-36, VAS and Vaizey's Score were recorded.Fifty-eight patients [36 male/22 female, median age 56.5 years (IQR 41.25-65.75) [with TAF were included. After a median time of 4 months, complete healing occurred in 53 cases (91.5%), the anal pain VAS decreased from 6 to 0, the anal incontinence scores did not change significantly and the QoL improved significantly in all the SF36 domains. No complications were recorded, but the fistula recurred in five cases (8.5%). Two of them had additional seton treatment, and three underwent other surgical procedures after the COVID-19 emergency.The slow cutting seton technique is a safe and effective treatment for outpatient procedure with minimal patient discomfort. This treatment option in healthcare delivery for TAF should be reconsidered, even outside the limited in-hospital access during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Tomasicchio
- Surgical Unit "M. Rubino", Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University Aldo Moro of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - C Giove
- Surgical Unit "M. Rubino", Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University Aldo Moro of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - A Dezi
- Surgical Unit "M. Rubino", Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University Aldo Moro of Bari, Bari, Italy.
| | - A Picciariello
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - V Lantone
- Surgical Unit "M. Rubino", Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University Aldo Moro of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - G Martines
- Surgical Unit "M. Rubino", Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University Aldo Moro of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - M De Fazio
- Surgical Unit "M. Rubino", Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University Aldo Moro of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - M Rinaldi
- Surgical Unit "M. Rubino", Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University Aldo Moro of Bari, Bari, Italy
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2
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Gallo G, Goglia M. Grand challenges in colorectal and proctological surgery. Front Surg 2023; 10:1331877. [PMID: 38186385 PMCID: PMC10766734 DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2023.1331877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gaetano Gallo
- Department of Surgery, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Colorectal and Proctological Surgery Section, Frontiers in Surgery
| | - Marta Goglia
- Colorectal and Proctological Surgery Section, Frontiers in Surgery
- Departmentof Medical and Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Reginelli A, Del Canto M, Clemente A, Gragnano E, Cioce F, Urraro F, Martinelli E, Cappabianca S. The Role of Dual-Energy CT for the Assessment of Liver Metastasis Response to Treatment: Above the RECIST 1.1 Criteria. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12030879. [PMID: 36769527 PMCID: PMC9917684 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12030879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Imaging assessment of liver lesions is fundamental to predict therapeutic response and improve patient survival rates. Dual-Energy Computed Tomography (DECT) is an increasingly used technique in the oncologic field with many emerging applications. The assessment of iodine concentration within a liver lesion reflects the biological properties of the tumor and provides additional information to radiologists that is normally invisible to the human eye. The possibility to predict tumor aggressiveness and therapeutic response based on quantitative and reproducible parameters obtainable from DECT images could improve clinical decisions and drive oncologists to choose the best therapy according to metastasis biological features. Moreover, in comparison with standard dimensional criteria, DECT provides further data on the cancer microenvironment, especially for patients treated with antiangiogenic-based drugs, in which tumor shrinkage is a late parameter of response. We investigated the predictive role of DECT in the early assessment of liver metastasis response to treatment in comparison with standard dimensional criteria during antiangiogenetic-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Reginelli
- Radiology and Radiotherapy Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Piazza Miraglia 2, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Mariateresa Del Canto
- Radiology and Radiotherapy Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Piazza Miraglia 2, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Alfredo Clemente
- Radiology and Radiotherapy Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Piazza Miraglia 2, 80138 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-08-1566-5200
| | - Eduardo Gragnano
- Radiology and Radiotherapy Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Piazza Miraglia 2, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Cioce
- Radiology and Radiotherapy Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Piazza Miraglia 2, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Urraro
- Radiology and Radiotherapy Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Piazza Miraglia 2, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Erika Martinelli
- Medical Oncology, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Piazza Miraglia 2, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cappabianca
- Radiology and Radiotherapy Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Piazza Miraglia 2, 80138 Naples, Italy
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Conticchio M, Maggialetti N, Rescigno M, Brunese MC, Vaschetti R, Inchingolo R, Calbi R, Ferraro V, Tedeschi M, Fantozzi MR, Avella P, Calabrese A, Memeo R, Scardapane A. Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Bile Duct Tumor Thrombus: A Case Report and Literature Review of 890 Patients Affected by Uncommon Primary Liver Tumor Presentation. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12020423. [PMID: 36675352 PMCID: PMC9861411 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12020423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Bile duct tumor thrombus (BDTT) is an uncommon finding in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), potentially mimicking cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Recent studies have suggested that HCC with BDTT could represent a prognostic factor. We report the case of a 47-year-old male patient admitted to the University Hospital of Bari with abdominal pain. Blood tests revealed the presence of an untreated hepatitis B virus infection (HBV), with normal liver function and without jaundice. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a cirrhotic liver with a segmental dilatation of the third bile duct segment, confirmed by a CT scan and liver MRI, which also identified a heterologous mass. No other focal hepatic lesions were identified. A percutaneous ultrasound-guided needle biopsy was then performed, detecting a moderately differentiated HCC. Finally, the patient underwent a third hepatic segmentectomy, and the histopathological analysis confirmed the endobiliary localization of HCC. Subsequently, the patient experienced a nodular recurrence in the fourth hepatic segment, which was treated with ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA). This case shows that HCC with BDTT can mimic different types of tumors. It also indicates the value of an early multidisciplinary patient assessment to obtain an accurate diagnosis of HCC with BDTT, which may have prognostic value that has not been recognized until now.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Conticchio
- Unit of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Miulli Hospital, 70124 Acquaviva Delle Fonti, Italy
| | - Nicola Maggialetti
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Radiology and Radiation Oncology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Marco Rescigno
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Radiology and Radiation Oncology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Brunese
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Radiology and Radiation Oncology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Roberto Vaschetti
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Radiology and Radiation Oncology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Calbi
- Radiology Unit, Miulli Hospital, 70124 Acquaviva Delle Fonti, Italy
| | - Valentina Ferraro
- Unit of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Miulli Hospital, 70124 Acquaviva Delle Fonti, Italy
| | - Michele Tedeschi
- Unit of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Miulli Hospital, 70124 Acquaviva Delle Fonti, Italy
| | | | - Pasquale Avella
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, “Federico II” University of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Riccardo Memeo
- Unit of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Miulli Hospital, 70124 Acquaviva Delle Fonti, Italy
| | - Arnaldo Scardapane
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Radiology and Radiation Oncology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
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Gaj F, Peracchini M, Passannanti D, Quaresima S, Giovanardi F, Lai Q. Use of telemedicine in the postoperative assessment of proctological patients: a case-control study. Tech Coloproctol 2023; 27:153-158. [PMID: 36324014 PMCID: PMC9629887 DOI: 10.1007/s10151-022-02723-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telemedicine is emerging as an easy way to communicate between patients and surgeons. Use of telemedicine increased during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. WhatsApp is one of the most common smartphone applications for user-friendly telemedicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate patient perception of health quality and positive outcomes using a diary sent by the patient to the surgeon via WhatsApp during the first post-discharge week after proctologic surgery. METHODS Ninety-eight patients discharged after proctologic surgery at the Israelite Hospital of Rome and the AOU Policlinico Umberto I of Rome in 1 January-31 December 2019 were divided into two groups: the WhatsApp group (group A), (n = 36) and the no WhatsApp group (group B) (n = 62). Group A patients received a protocol to follow for the day-by-day diary during the first post-discharge week and sending it by WhatsApp to the surgeon. Group B patients only received recommendations at discharge. The tool's usefulness was assessed by a questionnaire one month after the intervention. RESULTS The two groups were homogeneous for age, sex, schooling, employment, and proctologic pathology. Group A patients had less difficulty keeping a diary (p < 0.0001). Group A patients had the perception of better follow-up post-discharge (p = 0.002). The use of the diary sent by WhatsApp significantly improved the perception of positive post-intervention outcomes (p = 0.007). WhatsApp was the only independent predictor of perception of post-surgical positive outcomes (odds ratio = 4.06; 95% CI 1.35-12.24; p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The use of WhatsApp in the post-discharge period improves the lifestyle quality of the patients and their perception of the safety and quality of care received.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Gaj
- grid.7841.aGeneral Surgery and Organ Transplantation Unit, Department of General and Specialistic Surgery, Sapienza University of Rome, AOU Policlinico Umberto I of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy ,grid.417230.30000 0004 1759 0668Israelite Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - M. Peracchini
- grid.417230.30000 0004 1759 0668Israelite Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - D. Passannanti
- grid.7841.aGeneral Surgery and Organ Transplantation Unit, Department of General and Specialistic Surgery, Sapienza University of Rome, AOU Policlinico Umberto I of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - S. Quaresima
- grid.7841.aGeneral Surgery and Organ Transplantation Unit, Department of General and Specialistic Surgery, Sapienza University of Rome, AOU Policlinico Umberto I of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - F. Giovanardi
- grid.7841.aGeneral Surgery and Organ Transplantation Unit, Department of General and Specialistic Surgery, Sapienza University of Rome, AOU Policlinico Umberto I of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Q. Lai
- grid.7841.aGeneral Surgery and Organ Transplantation Unit, Department of General and Specialistic Surgery, Sapienza University of Rome, AOU Policlinico Umberto I of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
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Tomasicchio G, Dezi A, Picciariello A, Altomare DF, Giove C, Martines G, De Fazio M, Rinaldi M. Safety and efficacy of Levorag emulgel in the treatment of anal fissures using a validated scoring system. Front Surg 2023; 10:1145170. [PMID: 37035554 PMCID: PMC10073417 DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2023.1145170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Anal fissure is one of the most common anal disease characterized by intense anal pain, and deterioration of patients quality of life. Treatment is mainly based on the topical administration of calcium antagonist or nitric oxide ointments, and in cases refractory to medical treatment patients can undergo surgery. This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of Levorag emulgel in the treatment of acute and chronic fissures using of a validated scoring system. Material and Methods A prospective observational study was carried out on patients with anal fissures between February and May 2022. The efficacy of the treatment was evaluated using the REALISE score, a new validated scoring system that rates VAS for pain, NSAID use, pain duration, bleeding, and quality of life (QoL), recorded after 10, 20 and 30 days from the beginning of treatment. Results Forty patients (median age 46 years, IQR 29-57, 70% women) with acute (22, 55%) or chronic (18, 45%) anal fissures entered the study. The median anal pain score according to the VAS scale decreased significantly from 7 (IQR 4.7-8) at baseline to 1 (IQR 0-3.2, p = 0.05) after 20 days. At the 30-day proctological examination, 22 patients (61%) were pain free (median VAS of 0, IQR 0-1.2, p < 0.05). Pain duration after defecation measured according to the REALISE score, showed a significant decrease after 10 days, from a median value of 2 (IQR 1-4) to 1 (IQR 1-1.2) (p < 0.005). The median value of the REALISE score decreased significantly, from 15 (IQR 11-19.25) at first proctological evaluation to 4 (IQR 4-6, p = 0.139) after 30 days of treatment. At day 30, complete fissure healing was achieved in 30 patients (80%). The healing rate was 82% and 78% in patients with acute and chronic anal fissures, respectively. Conclusion The use of Levorag® Emulgel may represent a safe and effective non-invasive first line treatment in patients affected by acute or chronic anal fissure.
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Timerbulatov SV, Zabelin MV, Timerbulatov MV, Gafarov AR, Timerbulatov VM, Garayev RR. [Consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for surgical service]. Khirurgiia (Mosk) 2023:103-109. [PMID: 38088847 DOI: 10.17116/hirurgia2023121103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has a serious impact on surgical service, emergency and especially elective surgical care. Many hospitals were re-designated as COVID hospitals due to resource constraints and large number of COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization. This led to cancellation or postponement of scheduled surgeries. In addition, restrictions in elective surgery were associated with the risk of infection in surgical patients. Various protocols and guidelines recommended non-surgical or outpatient treatment if possible. During the pandemic, postoperative morbidity and mortality in emergency surgery increased significantly. The same is true for elective surgeries in 7-8 weeks after previous coronavirus infection. The authors analyze the issues of organization, priorities for restoration of elective surgery and criteria for patient selection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M V Zabelin
- Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa, Russia
| | | | - A R Gafarov
- Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa, Russia
| | | | - R R Garayev
- Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa, Russia
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Lisi G, Gentileschi P, Spoletini D, Passaro U, Orlandi S, Campanelli M. Sclerotherapy for III- and IV-degree hemorrhoids: Results of a prospective study. Front Surg 2022; 9:978574. [PMID: 36117836 PMCID: PMC9474687 DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2022.978574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundIn the last 2 years, anorectal surgery has been strongly affected and even surgery for urgent cases cannot be scheduled; also, patients with III- and IV-degree bleeding hemorrhoids should be treated conservatively. The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of sclerotherapy in patients who had to postpone surgery.MethodsWe included all patients with III- and IV-degree bleeding hemorrhoids who underwent outpatient sclerotherapy. The visual analog scale and the hemorrhoid severity score were used at the baseline and at 4 weeks after the procedure with a telephone interview, and all patients were outpatient-evaluated 1 week, 1 month, and 1 year after the treatment. All pre- and postoperative data were recorded.ResultsFrom October 2020 to November 2021, 19 patients with III- (12 patients; 63%) and IV-degree (7 patients; 37%) bleeding hemorrhoids were enrolled. The mean operative time was 4.5 min, and no intraoperative complications occurred. One case of tenesmus and three failures were detected. Six months after the procedure, the overall success rate was 84%, although all of the patients enrolled reported persistent bleeding at the end of the study period. Of these, 5 patients (26%) were scheduled for surgery and 11 patients (58%) refused surgery and asked to undergo a re-do sclerotherapy.ConclusionSclerotherapy with 3% polidocanol foam is a safe and effective procedure also in III- and IV-degree bleeding hemorrhoids. The long-term data on the length of the foam remain to be evaluated in additional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Lisi
- Department of Surgery, Sant’Eugenio Hospital, Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: Giorgio Lisi
| | - Paolo Gentileschi
- Department of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, University of Tor Vergata, San Carlo of Nancy Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Simone Orlandi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, IRCSS Sacro Cuore don Calabria, Negrar di Valpolicella, Italy
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Kuehner G, Wu W, Choe G, Douaiher J, Reed M. Telemedicine Implementation Trends in Surgical Specialties Before and After COVID-19 Shelter in Place: Adjusting to a Changing Landscape. Surgery 2022; 172:1471-1477. [PMID: 35999062 PMCID: PMC9189120 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2022.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic caused a shift from in-person care to telemedicine, providing a unique opportunity to evaluate trends and efficiency of telemedicine usage within surgical subspecialties in a large, integrated health care system before and after shelter in place mandates. Methods This retrospective cohort study included all of the Kaiser Permanente Northern California members referred to surgical services from January 1, 2019 to June 13, 2020 and receiving a surgical procedure. We compared the patient referrals (categorized as benign, urgent, or cancer) before and after shelter in place mandates, and we examined rates of telemedicine (video or telephone) usage for preoperative consultations, postoperative visits, time from referral to first surgical encounter, and to surgery or procedure. In multivariate analyses, we assessed the patient and provider characteristics associated with telemedicine usage. Results There was a total of 34,875 surgical referrals resulting in a procedure, with a significant decline in referral after shelter in place mandates. Preoperative encounter types shifted from 89.8% in-person before shelter in place mandates to 70.2% telemedicine after shelter in place mandates (P < .0001). The median time from referral to first encounter decreased after shelter in place mandates, as did median time to procedure. After shelter in place mandates, postoperative encounters were mainly telemedicine (65.8%) compared with before shelter in place mandates (41.7%) (P < .0001). Overall, there was a comparable uptake of telemedicine usage in almost all evaluated categories of patient characteristics after shelter in place mandates. Conclusion Within a health care system with prior telemedicine capability, surgical specialties were able to shift to telemedicine rapidly, equitably, and efficiently in the preoperative and postoperative encounters of benign, urgent, and cancer diagnosis during mandated COVID-19 restrictions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Weilu Wu
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research, Oakland, CA
| | - Giye Choe
- The Permanente Medical Group, Oakland, CA
| | | | - Mary Reed
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research, Oakland, CA
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Buondonno A, Avella P, Cappuccio M, Scacchi A, Vaschetti R, Di Marzo G, Maida P, Luciani C, Amato B, Brunese MC, Esposito D, Selvaggi L, Guerra G, Rocca A. A Hub and Spoke Learning Program in Bariatric Surgery in a Small Region of Italy. Front Surg 2022; 9:855527. [PMID: 35402486 PMCID: PMC8987280 DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2022.855527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundMetabolic and bariatric surgery (BS) are considered life-changing and life-saving treatments for obese patients. The Italian Society of Obesity Surgery (SICOB) requires at least 25 operations per year to achieve the standard of care in the field. Despite the increasing need to treat obese patients, some small southern regions of Italy, such as Molise, do not have enough experience in bariatric procedures to be allowed to perform them. Therefore, our aim was to run a Hub and Spoke Program with a referral center in BS to treat obese patients and provide a proper learning curve in BS in Molise.MethodsIn 2020, the “A. Cardarelli Hospital” in Campobasso, Molise, started a formal “Learning Model of Hub and Spoke Collaboration” with the Hub center “Ospedale Del Mare”, Naples. A multidisciplinary approach was achieved. Patients were supervised and operated under the supervision and tutoring of the referral center. We retrospectively reviewed our prospectively collected database from February 2020 to August 2021 in order to analyze the safety and effectiveness of our learning program.ResultsIn total, 13 (3 men and 10 women) patients underwent BS with the mean age of 47.08 years and a presurgery BMI of 41.79. Seven (53.84%) patients were the American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) II, and 6 (46.16%) patients were ASA III. Twelve (92.31%) procedures were laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomies, 1 (7.69%) patient underwent endoscopic BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon (BIB) placement. One (8.33%) sleeve gastrectomy was associated to gastric band removal. Mean surgical time was 110.14 ± 23.54 min. The mean length of stay was 4.07 ± 2.40 days. No Clavien-Dindo ≥ III and mortality were reported. The follow-up program showed a mean decrease of 11.82 in terms of body mass index (BMI) value. The last 5 procedures were performed by the whole equips from “A. Cardarelli” under external tutoring without any impact on complication rate.ConclusionThe setup of a proper Hub and Spoke Program may allow to perform BS to provide the standard of care. This approach may reduce health costs and related patient migration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pasquale Avella
- Department of Medicine and Health Science, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Micaela Cappuccio
- Department of Medicine and Health Science, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Andrea Scacchi
- Department of Medicine and Health Science, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
- *Correspondence: Andrea Scacchi
| | - Roberto Vaschetti
- Department of Medicine and Health Science, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
- Roberto Vaschetti
| | | | - Pietro Maida
- General Surgery Unit, Ospedale del Mare, Centro Sanitario Locale Napoli 1 Centro, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudio Luciani
- General Surgery Unit, A. Cardarelli Hospital, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Bruno Amato
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Brunese
- Department of Medicine and Health Science, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Daniela Esposito
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg and Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Lucio Selvaggi
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Germano Guerra
- Department of Medicine and Health Science, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Aldo Rocca
- General Surgery Unit, A. Cardarelli Hospital, Campobasso, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Health Science, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
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Telemedicine Is an Effective Tool to Monitor Disease Activity in IBD Patients in the COVID-19 Era: A Single Centre Experience Based on Objective Data. GASTROENTEROLOGY INSIGHTS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/gastroent13010013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 outbreak has led IBD clinics to adopt a remote monitoring approach in order to guarantee an adequate follow-up of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and ensure the rules of social distancing. Aim: The aim of the study was to perform a survey on IBD patients who underwent remote monitoring in our tertiary referral center, to assess adherence, patients’ perceptions and satisfaction, and finally their opinions for future monitoring. Furthermore, we evaluated changes in disease activity and Quality of Life (QoL) using validated questionnaires. Methods: Consecutive patients with IBD scheduled for follow-up visits were switched to remote monitoring through e-mail from March 2020 to February 2021. Patients were asked to complete a questionnaire focusing on the following elements of the intervention: (1) self-assessment questions, (2) action plans, and (3) educational messages. Results: Four hundred and twenty four Caucasian patients completed the survey. 233 (55.1%) were male, 220 (52.0%) had Crohn’s Disease (CD). Median baseline Mayo Score and Harvey Bradshaw Index were 3 and 4, respectively. 9 (2.1%) patients were referred to the emergency department because of disease flares. 410 (96.9%) patients were satisfied with telemedicine, and 320 (76.5%) patients reported that they would maintain this approach also after COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, on univariate logistic regression analysis, none of the variables were related to patients’ satisfaction or to an improved QoL. The presence of ulcerative colitis was associated with the need for treatment change. Conclusions: Our results suggest that a telemedicine approach is well accepted by patients with IBD and could represent an effective tool in monitoring disease activity. Further controlled studies are warranted to properly assess if telemedicine can replace face-to-face consultations in IBD.
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Giansanti D, Morone G, Loreti A, Germanotta M, Aprile I. A Narrative Review of the Launch and the Deployment of Telemedicine in Italy during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10030415. [PMID: 35326894 PMCID: PMC8955340 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10030415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Telemedicine is making an important contribution to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and to supporting the health domain. Its use has registered initial problems with often-patchy practise. The objective of this study was to analyze the launch and deployment of telemedicine in Italy through a narrative review. The narrative review faced two points of view: (a) the first point of view revised the institutional initiatives of the Italian government developed to promote the use of telemedicine; (b) the second point of view reviewed the evolution of scientific literature in the sector, with reference to the Italian situation. In the second point of view, we applied both a standard narrative checklist and an eligibility approach. The first point of view reported an analysis of national documents aimed at promoting, through indications and recommendations, the use of telemedicine. The second point of view analyzed 39 qualified references. The analysis highlighted: (a) that initially, there was a disorientation, followed by reflections that emerged immediately after; (b) a telemedicine application not only in the traditional sectors (e.g., diabetology, cardiology, oncology, neurology) but also in new and fields never explored before; and (c) a high level of acceptance and a desire to continue in the after-pandemic future (which emerged in some studies through dedicated questionnaires). The study offers stimuli for both stakeholders and scholars to improve the use of telemedicine during the pandemic and in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Giansanti
- Centro Nazionale Tecnologie Innovative in Sanità Pubblica, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Giovanni Morone
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica, Sanità Pubblica, Scienze della Vita e dell’Ambiente, Università degli Studi dell’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy;
| | - Alice Loreti
- Facoltà di Medicina e Psicologia, Università Sapienza, 00185 Roma, Italy;
| | - Marco Germanotta
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, 50143 Florence, Italy; (M.G.); (I.A.)
| | - Irene Aprile
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, 50143 Florence, Italy; (M.G.); (I.A.)
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Pietroletti R, Gallo G, Muselli M, Martinisi G, Cofini V. Proctologic Surgery Prioritization After the Lockdown: Development of a Scoring System. Front Surg 2022; 8:798405. [PMID: 35155551 PMCID: PMC8825474 DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2021.798405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has shown a very critical impact on surgical procedures all over the world. Italy faced the deepest impact from the beginning of March 2020. Elective operations, screening, and follow-up visits had been suspended giving priority to urgent and oncologic surgery. Patients An observational study was carried out in the Surgical Coloproctology Unit of the Val Vibrata Hospital on 152 patients awaiting a proctological surgical treatment during the national lockdown. Methods In order to monitor the health status of patients and reschedule postlockdown surgical activities, patients were interviewed by telephone submitting a questionnaire based upon the judgment of an expert senior clinician. Following the interview, we calculated a severity index for all the proctologic diseases (hemorrhoidal disease, anal fissure, anal sepsis, slow transit or obstructed defecation, incontinence), classifying the patients according to the score. Mean age of patients was 53 (±16) years, and there were 84 males (55.3%) and 68 females (44.7%). In total, 31% of our patients suffered from anal fissure, 28% suffered from hemorrhoidal disease, 14% suffered from anal sepsis, and the remaining patients suffered from benign anorectal diseases to a lesser extent. Results A total of 137 patients were available and divided into three classes: priority surgery (PS) with 49 patients (36.2%), deferrable surgery (DS) with 25 patients (18.1%), and long-term surgery (L-TS) with 63 patients (45.6%). There was a significant correlation between the perceived health status reported during the interview and the priority class index (Spearman's rho = 0.97, p < 0.001). Differences related to age and sex were not significant (F-test = 0.43, p = 0.653; chi-squared test = 0.693, p = 0.707). 49 patients in class PS needed a prompt surgical treatment, while 24 patients allocated in class DS and 65 patients allocated in class L-TS could wait for a new ride plan for surgery. Conclusion New tools, such as this simple score obtained during the telephone interview, can be useful for prioritization of patients on the waiting list for surgical coloproctology after the lockdown without further clinical examination and hospital access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renato Pietroletti
- Surgical Coloproctology Hospital Val Vibrata, Sant'Omero (TE) and Department of Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
- *Correspondence: Renato Pietroletti
| | - Gaetano Gallo
- Department of Surgery, University of Catanzaro “Magna Grecia”, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Mario Muselli
- Medical Statistic, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Science, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giovanbattista Martinisi
- Surgical Coloproctology Hospital Val Vibrata, Sant'Omero (TE) and Department of Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Vincenza Cofini
- Medical Statistic, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Science, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
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Truche P, Campos LN, Marrazzo EB, Rangel AG, Bernardino R, Bowder AN, Buda AM, Faria I, Pompermaier L, Rice HE, Watters D, Dantas FLL, Mooney DP, Botelho F, Ferreira RV, Alonso N. Association between government policy and delays in emergent and elective surgical care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: a modeling study. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 3:100056. [PMID: 34725652 PMCID: PMC8552244 DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2021.100056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Truche
- Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Enzzo Barrozo Marrazzo
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais Poços de Caldas, MG, Brazil
| | - Ayla Gerk Rangel
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Universidad Católica Argentina, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ramon Bernardino
- School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Alexis N Bowder
- Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Alexandra M Buda
- Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Isabella Faria
- School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Laura Pompermaier
- Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Henry E Rice
- Duke University Medical Center and Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, NC, United States
| | - David Watters
- Deakin University and Barwon Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | - Nivaldo Alonso
- Department of Plastic Surgery, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Nimgaonkar V, Aggarwal C, Berman AT, Gabriel P, Shulman LN, Kucharczuk J, Roy M, Bauml JM, Singh AP, Cohen RB, Langer CJ, Marmarelis ME. Impact of telemedicine adoption on accessibility and time to treatment in patients with thoracic malignancies during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Cancer 2021; 21:1094. [PMID: 34635061 PMCID: PMC8503709 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-08819-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To ensure safe delivery of oncologic care during the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine has been rapidly adopted. However, little data exist on the impact of telemedicine on quality and accessibility of oncologic care. This study assessed whether conducting an office visit for thoracic oncology patients via telemedicine affected time to treatment initiation and accessibility. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with thoracic malignancies seen by a multidisciplinary team during the first surge of COVID-19 cases in Philadelphia (March 1 to June 30, 2020). Patients with an index visit for a new phase of care, defined as a new diagnosis, local recurrence, or newly discovered metastatic disease, were included. Results 240 distinct patients with thoracic malignancies were seen: 132 patients (55.0%) were seen initially in-person vs 108 (45.0%) via telemedicine. The majority of visits were for a diagnosis of a new thoracic cancer (87.5%). Among newly diagnosed patients referred to the thoracic oncology team, the median time from referral to initial visit was significantly shorter amongst the patients seen via telemedicine vs. in-person (median 5.0 vs. 6.5 days, p < 0.001). Patients received surgery (32.5%), radiation (24.2%), or systemic therapy (30.4%). Time from initial visit to treatment initiation by modality did not differ by telemedicine vs in-person: surgery (22 vs 16 days, p = 0.47), radiation (27.5 vs 27.5 days, p = 0.86, systemic therapy (15 vs 13 days, p = 0.45). Conclusions Rapid adoption of telemedicine allowed timely delivery of oncologic care during the initial surge of the COVID19 pandemic by a thoracic oncology multi-disciplinary clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek Nimgaonkar
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Charu Aggarwal
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Abigail T Berman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Peter Gabriel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lawrence N Shulman
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - John Kucharczuk
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Megan Roy
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joshua M Bauml
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Aditi P Singh
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Roger B Cohen
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Corey J Langer
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Melina E Marmarelis
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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