Artificial Intelligence Advances in the World of Cardiovascular Imaging

The tremendous advances in digital information and communication technology have entered everything from our daily lives to the most intricate aspects of medical and surgical care. These advances are seen in electronic and mobile health and allow many new applications to further improve and make the diagnoses of patient diseases and conditions more precise. In the area of digital radiology with respect to diagnostics, the use of advanced imaging tools and techniques is now at the center of evaluation and treatment. Digital acquisition and analysis are central to diagnostic capabilities, especially in the field of cardiovascular imaging. Furthermore, the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) into the world of digital cardiovascular imaging greatly broadens the capabilities of the field both with respect to advancement as well as with respect to complete and accurate diagnosis of cardiovascular conditions. The application of AI in recognition, diagnostics, protocol automation, and quality control for the analysis of cardiovascular imaging modalities such as echocardiography, nuclear cardiac imaging, cardiovascular computed tomography, cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging, and other imaging, is a major advance that is improving rapidly and continuously. We document the innovations in the field of cardiovascular imaging that have been brought about by the acceptance and implementation of AI in relation to healthcare professionals and patients in the cardiovascular field.

Establishing Surgical Care Sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa for Global Child Health: Insights From Pediatric Cardiac Surgical Capacity-Building Programs in Ethiopia and Côte d'Ivoire

The global surgery research team of the JW LEE Center for Global Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, introduced team-based health workforce training programs for pediatric cardiac surgery in Ethiopia and Côte d'Ivoire. A team-based collaborative capacity-building model was implemented in both countries, and details of the program design and delivery were documented. The research team shared their experiences and identified achievements, lessons, and challenges for cardiac surgical interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa. Future directions were put forward to advance and strengthen the low-and middle-income countries “Safe Surgery.”

Operative Volume of Newborn Surgery in German University Hospitals: High Volume Versus Low Volume Centers

Introduction Adequate patient volume is essential for the maintenance of quality, meaningful research, and training of the next generation of pediatric surgeons. The role of university hospitals is to fulfill these tasks at the highest possible level. Due to decentralization of pediatric surgical care during the last decades, there is a trend toward reduction of operative caseloads. The aim of this study was to assess the operative volume of the most relevant congenital malformations at German academic pediatric surgical institutions over the past years. Methods Nineteen chairpersons representing university-chairs in pediatric surgery in Germany submitted data on 10 index procedures regarding congenital malformations or neonatal abdominal emergencies over a 3-year period (2015 through 2017). All institutions were categorized according to the total number of respective cases into “high,” “medium,” and “low” volume centers by terciles. Some operative numbers were verified using data from health insurance companies, when available. Finally, the ratio of cumulative case load versus prevalence of the particular malformation was calculated for the study period. Results From 2015 through 2017, a total 2,162 newborns underwent surgery for congenital malformations and neonatal abdominal emergencies at German academic medical centers, representing 51% of all expected newborn cases nationwide. The median of cases per center within the study period was 101 (range 18–258). Four institutions (21%) were classified as “high volume” centers, four (21%) as “medium volume” centers, and 11 (58%) as “low volume” centers. The proportion of patients operated on in high-volume centers varied per disease category: esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula: 40%, duodenal atresia: 40%, small and large bowel atresia: 39%, anorectal malformations: 40%, congenital diaphragmatic hernia: 56%, gastroschisis: 39%, omphalocele: 41%, Hirschsprung disease: 45%, posterior urethral valves: 39%, and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)/focal intestinal perforation (FIP)/gastric perforation (GP): 45%. Conclusion This study provides a national benchmark for neonatal surgery performed in German university hospitals. The rarity of these cases highlights the difficulties for individual pediatric surgeons to gain adequate clinical and surgical experience and research capabilities. Therefore, a discussion on the centralization of care for these rare entities is necessary.

ON THE FORMATION OF ETHNOMEDICINE OF THE NORTH CAUCASUS PEOPLES

Статья посвящена истории формирования этномедицины народов Северного Кавказа. Ставится задача уточнения динамики исторического процесса относительно формирования этномедицины народов Северного Кавказа. Материалы исследований многих авторов по истории медицины подтверждают высокую эффективность лекарского искусства в оказании хирургической помощи, которую отмечали многие наблюдатели в период Кавказской войны. Несомненно, опыт лекарского искусства на Кавказе имеет весьма древнюю историю. Он накапливался эмпирическим путем и, передаваясь от отца к сыну, формировал династии лекарей, имевшие свой опыт и свои секреты врачевания. Не исключается взаимовлияние культур народов, в частности арабской медицины, которая способствовала формированию врачей традиционной арабской школы медицины. Таким образом, народных целителей можно разделить на два типа: чье лечение содержало доисламские и исламские методы. Отмечается, что именно народные лекари с доисламским опытом сопровождали войска в походах и показали высокую эффективность своих методов, получив заслуженную оценку многих врачей в годы Кавказской войны. The paper is devoted to the history of formation of ethnomedicine of the peoples of the North Caucasus. The task is to clarify the dynamics of the historical process regarding the formation of ethnomedicine of the peoples of the North Caucasus. The research materials of many authors on the history of medicine confirm the high effectiveness of medicinal art in the provision of surgical care, which was noted by many observers during the Caucasian War. Undoubtedly, the experience of medicinal art in the Caucasus has a very ancient history. It accumulated empirically and, passing from father to son, formed dynasties of doctors who had their own experience and their secrets of healing. The mutual influence of the cultures of peoples, in particular Arab medicine, which contributed to the formation of doctors of the traditional Arab school of medicine, is not excluded. Thus, folk healers can be divided into two types: whose treatment contained pre-Islamic and Islamic methods. It is noted that it was people's doctors with pre-Islamic experience who accompanied the troops on campaigns and showed the high effectiveness of their methods, having received a well-deserved assessment of many doctors during the Caucasian war.

Colectomy Followed by J-Pouch Reconstruction to Correct Total Colonic Aganglionosis

Background: Patients suffering from complete colonic aganglionosis (TCA) require the best surgical care possible. Only a few studies reported J-Pouch repair as the primary reconstructive surgery in TCA patients. This study adds to the current literature a thorough clinical and functional outcomes group. Methods: Between 2011 and 2021, medical records of Hirschsprung disease (HD) patients who underwent J-Pouch reconstruction during infancy (n = 12) were reviewed. In close follow-up, bowel function and satisfaction with operation results were evaluated. The median age at the time of J-Pouch reconstruction was 16 months, and covering ileostomies were closed four months later. There were no postoperative problems. After the final repair, Pouch-related problems (PRP) occurred in 27% of the children and were treated conservatively. There was no histological evidence of pouchitis in any of the individuals. The median 24-h stooling frequency was 4–5 at the latest follow-up 51 months following enterostomy closure. Conclusions: The current study’s findings support the existing literature and advocate for J-pouch repair in TCA patients. However, more research will be needed to determine the best time to undergo pouch surgery and ileostomy closure in TCA patients.

Therapeutic Perspectives for the Perioperative Period in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC)

The perioperative period is the relatively short window of time, usually measured in days or weeks, around the surgical procedure. Despite its short duration, this time period is of great importance for cancer patients. From a biological point of view, the perioperative period is complex. Synchronous with primary tumor removal, surgery has local and distant consequences, including systemic and local inflammation, coagulation and sympathetic activation. Furthermore, the patients often present comorbidities and receive several medical prescriptions (hypnotics, pain killers, anti-emetics, hemostatics, inotropes, antibiotics). Because of the complex nature of the perioperative period, it is often difficult to predict the oncological outcome of tumor resection. Here, we review the biological consequences of surgery of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC), the most frequent form of primary head and neck tumors. We briefly address the specificities and the challenges of the surgical care of these tumors and highlight the biological and clinical studies that offer insight into the perioperative period. The recent trials examining neoadjuvant immunotherapy for OSCC illustrate the therapeutic opportunities offered by the perioperative period.

Outcomes of day case shoulder replacement surgery in a stand-alone day care unit in the United Kingdom

Background: This review aims to compare the outcomes for day case shoulder replacement with in-patient shoulder replacement surgery in a district general hospital. Methods: Seventy-three patients had 82 shoulder arthroplasty procedures. Forty-six procedures were undertaken in a dedicated stand-alone day-case unit and 36 were undertaken as in-patient cases. Patient were followed up at 6 weeks, 6 months and annually. Results: There was no significant difference between the outcomes of shoulder arthroplasty procedures performed in the day case or in-patient settings making this a safe option for surgical care in a unit with an appropriate care pathway. Six complications in total were observed, three in each group. Operation time was statistically shorter for day cases by 25.1 min (95% CI - 36.5 to −13.7; d = −0.95, 95% CI −1.42 to 0.48). Estimated marginal means (EMM) revealed lower post-surgery oxford pain scores in day cases (EMM = 3.25, 95% CI 2.35, 4.16) compared with inpatients (EMM = 4.65, 95% CI 3.64 to 5.67). Constant shoulder scores were higher in day cases versus inpatients. Conclusion: Day case shoulder replacement is safe with comparable outcomes to routine inpatient care for patients up to ASA 3 classification with high satisfaction and excellent functional outcomes.

Mustard surgery three months after a covid-19 infection: a case report

Introduction: This past year, on a global scale, since 2019, public health warnings have gone off because of the recent epidemiological crisis set of the Covid-19 pandemic. This pandemic holds responsibility for millions of infections, manifesting broadly in its clinical presentation, which ranges from asymptomatic carriers to respiratory failure, myocardial pathology and death; increasing the rates of hospitalization. Pediatric patients are at high risk of contracting the disease including those with congenital cardiomyopathy that are in need of surgical intervention in order to survive. Objective: Show that there exists an opportunity for elective surgical treatment and short term and medium term recovery in these patients in spite of respiratory and cardiovascular sequelae. Case presentation of an eleven-month infant diagnosed with Transposition of the Great Vessels, who after three months of idleness for having tested positive for Covid-19, received definitive surgical care for the initial diagnosis. Results: The perioperative strategy was based in the probable sequelae due to the infection. There are not respiratory complications like consequence for the previous lung injury. The auriculoventricular dysfunctional immediate post-operative was related with the surgical technique. Conclusion: A period no less than three months could be offer security for surgery using extracorporeal circulation in pediatric patients who suffered covid-19. Patient with favorable post-op prognosis resulting from the work of a multi-disciplinary team that met all challenges of the complications inherent in the post-operative period following a complex cardiovascular surgery along with those of a potentially fatal virus.

Surgical Issues for Operable Early-Stage Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Surgical care for early stage non–small-cell lung cancer continuously evolves with new procedures, techniques and care pathways. The most obvious recent change was the transition to minimally invasive procedures, but numerous other aspects of care have also been refined to improve safety and tolerability. These care advancements are essential as we move into an era with increased early detection as a result of screening and greater indications for the use of adjuvant and neoadjuvant strategies.

Mustard Surgery Three Months after A Covid-19 Infection. A Case Report

Introduction: This past year, on a global scale, since 2019, public health warnings have gone off because of the recent epidemiological crisis set of the Covid-19 pandemic. This pandemic holds responsibility for millions of infections, manifesting broadly in its clinical presentation, which ranges from asymptomatic carriers to respiratory failure, myocardial pathology and death; increasing the rates of hospitalization. Pediatric patients are at high risk of contracting the disease including those with congenital cardiomyopathy that are in need of surgical intervention in order to survive. Objective: Show that there exists an opportunity for elective surgical treatment and short term and medium term recovery in these patients in spite of respiratory and cardiovascular sequelae. Case presentation of an eleven-month infant diagnosed with Transposition of the Great Vessels, who after three months of idleness for having tested positive for Covid-19, received definitive surgical care for the initial diagnosis. Results: The perioperative strategy was based in the probable sequelae due to the infection. There are not respiratory complications like consequence for the previous lung injury. The auriculoventricular dysfunctional immediate post-operative was related with the surgical technique. Conclusion: A period no less than three months could be offer security for surgery using extracorporeal circulation in pediatric patients who suffered covid-19. Patient with favorable post-op prognosis resulting from the work of a multi-disciplinary team that met all challenges of the complications inherent in the post-operative period following a complex cardiovascular surgery along with those of a potentially fatal virus.