Which Model Is Better to Teach How to Perform Tube Thoracostomy: Synthetic, Cadaver, or Animal?

Introduction: The lack of standardized skill training reported by medical students in performing tube thoracostomies may be associated with higher complications. The ideal training model is yet to be determined. This study sought to evaluate three different models.

Abdominal and pelvic actinomycosis due to longstanding intrauterine device: a slow and devastating infection.

Actinomycosis is a chronic or subacute bacterial infection characterized by large abscess formation, caused mainly by the gram-positive non-acid-fast, anaerobic, or microaerophilic/capnophilic, obligate parasites bacteria from the genus. Although pelvic inflammatory disease is an entity associated with the longstanding use of intrauterine devices (IUDs), actinomycosis is not one of the most frequent infections associated with IUDs. We present the case of a 43-year-old female patient who was referred to the emergency facility because of a 20-day history of abdominal pain with signs of peritoneal irritation.

Laparoscopic training model using fresh human cadavers without the establishment of penumoperitoneum.

Background: Laparoscopy is a well-established alternative to open surgery for treating many diseases. Although laparoscopy has many advantages, it is also associated with disadvantages, such as slow learning curves and prolonged operation time. Fresh frozen cadavers may be an interesting resource for laparoscopic training, and many institutions have access to cadavers.

Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection associated with impaired intestinal motility disorder.

Infection by Strongyloides stercoralis is a highly prevalent helminthiasis, which is mostly distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Although a substantial number of cases are asymptomatic or paucisymtomatic, severe and life-threatening forms of this infection still occur and not infrequently is lately diagnosed. Gram-negative bacteria septicemia, which frequently accompanies the severe helminthiasis, contributes to the high mortality rate.