Background The global crisis resulting from the coronavirus pandemic has imposed a large burden on health systems worldwide. Nonetheless, acute abdominal surgical emergencies are major causes for nontrauma-related hospital admissions and their incidences were expected to remain unchanged. Surprisingly, a significant decrease in volume and a higher proportion of complicated cases are being observed worldwide. Methods The present study assesses the local impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the emergency presentation of acute appendicitis in a Brazilian hospital. A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients undergoing emergency surgery for the clinically suspected diagnosis of acute appendicitis during the 2-month period of March and April 2020 and the same time interval in the previous year. Data on demographics, timing of symptom onset and hospital presentation, intraoperative details, postoperative complications, hospital length of stay, and histological examination of the specimen were retrieved from individual registries. Results The number of appendectomies during the pandemic was 36, which represents a 56% reduction compared to the 82 patients operated during the same period in 2019. The average time of symptom onset to hospital arrival was significantly higher in 2020 (40.6 vs. 28.2 hours, P = .02). The classification of appendicitis revealed a significant higher proportion of complicated cases than the previous year (33.3% vs. 15.2%, P = .04). The rate of postoperative complications and the average length of stay were not statistically different between the groups. Conclusion Further assessment of patients’ concerns and systematic monitoring of emergency presentations are expected to help us understand and adequately address this issue.

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Introdução: Avaliar os níveis de conhecimento, interesse e treinamento dos cirurgiões inscritos no Colégio Brasileiro dos Cirurgiões (CBC) da cidade de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, em relação à cirurgia robótica. Métodos:Estudo transversal, baseado em informações coletadas por meio de questionário enviado via plataforma digital para potenciais participantes. O formulário continha perguntas estruturadas e autoaplicáveis, a fim de caracterizar o perfil profissional, capacitação em cirurgia minimamente invasiva, conhecimento, opinião e treinamento específico em cirurgia robótica.Resultados: Dos 146 membros inscritos no CBC na cidade de Porto Alegre, 99 (67,8%) responderam ao questionário. Houve predomínio do sexo masculino (88%) e a mediana de idade dos participantes foi de 48 anos. Os procedimentos videolaparoscópicos ou vídeo-assistidos foram maioria na rotina dos cirurgiões. Da totalidade da amostra, a maior parte (78%) já assistiu ao menos um procedimento robótico, e um terço (n = 30) já realizou algum tipo de treinamento ou simulação em cirurgia robótica. Entre os que não realizaram, dois terços pretendem se qualificar no futuro. Apenas 10% dos cirurgiões possuem certificação na área. Conclusão:A maioria dos cirurgiões respondentes inscritos no CBC em Porto Alegre tem em sua rotina predominância de procedimentos minimamente invasivos e acredita que a plataforma robótica será o futuro da cirurgia. Embora ainda não disponível na maioria dos serviços gaúchos, espera-se que o desenvolvimento de novas plataformas e a redução dos custos envolvidos na aquisição de equipamento e de capacitação do cirurgião facilitem a disseminação dessa tecnologia.

The humanitarian mission provided hernia surgery to an underserved population in Brazil and training to local doctors, building local sustainability. Continued cooperation between host and international surgeons for future missions to Brazil will ensure continuing surgical training and technical assistance.

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Endoscopic techniques are now considered the first-line approach for the management of bariatric surgery-related fistulas. The off-label use of cardiac septal defect occluders (CSDO) is an emerging technique that has demonstrated favorable outcomes for the closure of extravascular defects, including gastrointestinal (GI) disruptions. Previous case reports have reported similar results with the CSDO Amplatzer™ for the management of GI disruptions following bariatric surgery. However, the use of similar alternative devices for this purpose has not yet been described. <b><i>Case Presentation:</i></b> This case report presents the first reported use of the Occlutech® CSDO for the treatment of a chronic gastrocutaneous fistula after bariatric revisional surgery. Despite apparent initial success – no extravasation of contrast material through the device in the contrast study after the CSDO placement – fistula closure failed due to partial dislodgement of the device. The placement of a second device between the discs of the former one ultimately sealed the fistulous orifice. <b><i>Discussion:</i></b> In chronic GI fistulas, the mature tract is often not liable to the application of standard endoscopic methods, leading to failed closure attempts. A new application of Occlutech® CSDO can obviate the clinical burden of a high-risk laparotomy in these cases. Appropriate endoscopic equipment as well as the involvement of a multidisciplinary team are prime conditions to ensure successful patient outcomes.