Inter-rater reliability of the PIPES tool: validation of a surgical capacity index for use in resource-limited settings.

Introduction: In response to the need for simple, rapid means of quantifying surgical capacity in low resource settings, Surgeons OverSeas (SOS) developed the personnel, infrastructure, procedures, equipment and supplies (PIPES) tool. The present investigation assessed the inter-rater reliability of the PIPES tool.

Methods: As part of a government assessment of surgical services in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, the PIPES tool was translated into Spanish and applied in interviews with physicians at 31 public hospitals.

Can a biologic mesh survive a Candida krusei infection? A case report of infection of a biologic mesh following repair of abdominal wall hernia.

The use of biologic mesh, which is considered resistant to infection, has become common. It is preferred over synthetic mesh for use in contaminated fields. Fungal infection with infiltration of biologic mesh is rare and has not been reported.

A quantitative analysis of surgical capacity in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

Objectives: This investigation aimed to document surgical capacity at public medical centers in a middle-income Latin American country using the Surgeons OverSeas (SOS) Personnel, Infrastructure, Procedures, Equipment, and Supplies (PIPES) survey tool.

Materials And Methods: We applied the PIPES tool at six urban and 25 rural facilities in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Outcome measures included the availability of items in five domains (Personnel, Infrastructure, Procedures, Equipment, and Supplies) and the PIPES index.

Cervical spine fractures in patients 65 years or older: a 3-year experience at a level I trauma center.

Background: Cervical spine fractures in the elderly carry a mortality as high as 26%. We reviewed our experience to define the level of injury, prevalence of neurologic deficits, treatments employed, and the correlation between patients' pre- and posthospital residences. Also, we correlated the prevalence of advanced directives with length of stay.