scholarly journals Cardiothoracic robotic assisted surgery in times of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 795-797 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jef Van den Eynde ◽  
Senne De Groote ◽  
Robin Van Lerberghe ◽  
Raf Van den Eynde ◽  
Wouter Oosterlinck
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
Early Recovery ◽  
Robotic Assisted ◽  
Robotic Assisted Surgery ◽  
Viral Particles ◽  
Ultrasonic Devices ◽  
Potential Risks

Abstract The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic poses an immense threat to healthcare systems worldwide. At a time when elective surgeries are being suspended and questions are being raised about how the remaining procedures on COVID-19 positive patients can be performed safely, it is important to consider the potential role of robotic assisted surgery within the current pandemic. Recently, several robotic assisted surgery societies have issued their recommendations. To date, however, no specific recommendations are available for cardiothoracic robotic assisted surgery in COVID-19 positive patients. Here, we discuss the potential risks, benefits, and preventive measures that need to be taken into account when considering robotic assisted surgery for cardiothoracic indications in patients with confirmed COVID-19. It is suggested that robotic assisted surgery might have various advantages such as early recovery after surgery, shorter hospital stay, and reduced loss of blood and fluids as well as smaller incisions. However, electrosurgical and ultrasonic devices, as well as CO2 insufflation should be managed with caution to prevent the risk of aerosolization of viral particles.

scholarly journals Afro-Communitarianism and the Role of Traditional African Healers in the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luís Cordeiro-Rodrigues ◽  
Thaddeus Metz
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Capital ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Special Role ◽  
Ethical Perspective ◽  
The Face

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant challenges to healthcare systems worldwide, and in Africa, given the lack of resources, they are likely to be even more acute. The usefulness of Traditional African Healers in helping to mitigate the effects of pandemic has been neglected. We argue from an ethical perspective that these healers can and should have an important role in informing and guiding local communities in Africa on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Particularly, we argue not only that much of the philosophy underlying Traditional African Medicine is adequate and compatible with preventive measures for COVID-19, but also that Traditional African Healers have some unique cultural capital for influencing and enforcing such preventive measures. The paper therefore suggests that not only given the cultural context of Africa where Traditional African Healers have a special role, but also because of the normative strength of the Afro-communitarian philosophy that informs it, there are good ethical reasons to endorse policies that involve Traditional Healers in the fight against COVID-19. We also maintain that concerns about Traditional African Healers objectionably violating patient confidentiality or being paternalistic are much weaker in the face of COVID-19.

The role of robotic-assisted surgery for the treatment of diverticular disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 239-240
Author(s):  
Matteo Bianchini ◽  
Matteo Palmeri ◽  
Gianni Stefanini ◽  
Niccolò Furbetta ◽  
Gregorio Di Franco
Keyword(s):  
Diverticular Disease ◽  
Robotic Assisted ◽  
Robotic Assisted Surgery

scholarly journals Presence of Influenza Virus on Touch Surfaces in Kindergartens and Primary Schools

2020 ◽  
Vol 222 (8) ◽  
pp. 1329-1333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Whui Fong ◽  
Nancy H L Leung ◽  
Jingyi Xiao ◽  
Daniel K W Chu ◽  
Samuel M S Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Ribonucleic Acid ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Influenza Season ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Potential Risks

Abstract Backgrounds Influenza virus can survive on some surfaces, facilitating indirect person-to-person transmission. Methods We collected swab samples weekly from commonly touched surfaces in 7 kindergartens and primary schools during the 2017/2018 winter influenza season in Hong Kong. Results We detected influenza virus ribonucleic acid (RNA) in 12 of 1352 samples (<1%) collected from 7 of 11 classrooms (5 to 2 × 106 RNA copies/mL). Viral RNA was more frequently recovered from communal items inside classrooms such as bookshelves and doorknobs. Conclusions Surface contamination indicates the potential role of fomites in influenza virus transmission in schools. Communal items inside classrooms may cause greater potential risks of transmission during influenza epidemics.

scholarly journals The Role of Robotic Surgery in Benign Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Gillanders ◽  
Akshaya Ravi ◽  
Shawkat Abdulrahman
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Neck Surgery ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Robot Assisted ◽  
Robotic Assisted ◽  
Robotic Assisted Surgery ◽  
Near Future

The role of robotic-assisted surgery has increased exponentially in many surgical specialities over recent years. However, common usage within otolaryngology still appears limited. We aim to explore the alternative uses for robot-assisted surgery in benign otolaryngology, head and neck pathologies. A systematic review of the literature was performed by searching electronic databases and references libraries. 2485 papers were identified through our search. 96 studies met our inclusion criteria. Our results are categorized and displayed in table format. There are multiple novel adaptations of robotic-assisted surgery being performed across the world in benign otolaryngology, head and neck pathologies. Exciting advances in technology and availability will expand this scope even further in the near future.

Cervical Spine Navigation and Enabled Robotics: A New Frontier in Minimally Invasive Surgery

2021 ◽  
pp. 155633162110266
Author(s):  
Darren R. Lebl ◽  
Fedan Avrumova ◽  
Celeste Abjornson ◽  
Frank P. Cammisa
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Lateral Mass ◽  
Robotic Assisted ◽  
Assisted Navigation ◽  
Robotic Assisted Surgery ◽  
New Frontier ◽  
Cervical Pedicle ◽  
Set Up

Background: Robotic-assisted and computer-assisted navigation (CAN) systems utilization has been rapidly increasing in recent years. Most existing data using these systems are performed in the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spine. The unique anatomy of the cervical spine maybe where these technologies have the greatest potential. To date, the role of navigation-enabled robotics in the cervical spine remains in its early stages of development and study. Purpose: This review article describes the early experience, case descriptions and technical considerations with cervical spine screw fixation and decompression using CAN and robotic-assisted surgery. Methods: Representative cervical cases with early surgical experience with cervical and robotic assisted surgery with CAN. Surgical set up, technique considerations, instrumentation, screw accuracy and screw placement were elevated and recorded for each representative cervical case. Results: Existing robotic assisted spine surgical systems are reviewed as they pertain to the cervical spine. Method for cervical reference and positioning on radiolucent Mayfield tongs are presented. C1 lateral mass, odontoid fracture fixation, C2 pedicle, translaminar, subaxial lateral mass, mid cervical pedicle, navigated decompression and ACDF cases and techniques are presented. Conclusion: In conclusion, within the last several years, the use of CANs in spinal surgery has grown and the cervical spine shows the greatest potential. Several robotic systems have had FDA clearance for use in the spine, but such use requires simultaneous intraoperative fluoroscopic confirmation. In the coming years, this recommendation will likely be dropped as accuracy improves.

scholarly journals Aeroallergens in Canada: Distribution, Public Health Impacts, and Opportunities for Prevention

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 1577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecilia Sierra-Heredia ◽  
Michelle North ◽  
Jeff Brook ◽  
Christina Daly ◽  
Anne Ellis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Plant Distribution ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
New Developments ◽  
Weather Events ◽  
Allergies And Asthma

Aeroallergens occur naturally in the environment and are widely dispersed across Canada, yet their public health implications are not well-understood. This review intends to provide a scientific and public health-oriented perspective on aeroallergens in Canada: their distribution, health impacts, and new developments including the effects of climate change and the potential role of aeroallergens in the development of allergies and asthma. The review also describes anthropogenic effects on plant distribution and diversity, and how aeroallergens interact with other environmental elements, such as air pollution and weather events. Increased understanding of the relationships between aeroallergens and health will enhance our ability to provide accurate information, improve preventive measures and provide timely treatments for affected populations.

scholarly journals Feed as a mechanical vector in the transmission of swine viral diseases

2021 ◽  
Vol 77 (11) ◽  
pp. 6587-2021
Author(s):  
NATALIA MAZUR-PANASIUK ◽  
MARTA ANTAS ◽  
MATEUSZ FILA ◽  
JACEK ŻMUDZKI ◽  
GRZEGORZ WOŹNIAKOWSKI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
African Swine Fever ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mechanical Transmission ◽  
Viral Pathogens ◽  
Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea

The current African swine fever (ASF) epizootic in Europe and Asia has clearly highlighted the crucial role of effective biosecurity in preventing and controlling infectious diseases and in ensuring a high health status of the herd. The role of feed in the mechanical transmission of viral pathogens has long remained unclear, but the unexpected emergence of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) in the United States in 2013 led to intensified research efforts aimed at determining the origin of PEDV. Since then, it has been proven that feed and feed materials can play a role of mechanical vectors for many pathogens, including PEDV, ASFV, FMDV, PRV, PRRSV, PVDV, PCV2, CSV and PRV. In light of the potential risk of virus transmission via imported contaminated feed, a number of preventive measures have been developed and experimentally proven to be effective in mitigating the risk. The aim of this study is to summarize the current knowledge on the potential role of feed in the spread of porcine viral pathogens and on the latest efforts aimed at reducing the risk of such transmission.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document