WoundClot® Hemostatic Gauze Reduces Bleeding Time after Arterial Venous Fistula Decannulation

Introduction: Decannulation of the arteriovenous fistula (AVF) after each hemodialysis session requires a precise compression on the needle puncture site. The objective of our study was to evaluate the bleeding time (BT) needed to achieve hemostasis using WoundClot, an innovative hemostatic gauze, and to assess whether its long-term use can improve AVF preservation. Methods: This is a prospective single center study. Initially, the time to hemostasis after AVF decannulation was compared between WoundClot and cotton gauze in 24 prevalent hemodialysis patients. Thereafter, the patients continued to use WoundClot for 12 months and were compared to a control group consisting of 25 patients using regular cotton gauze. Follow-up data included parameters of dialysis adequacy, AVF interventions, and thrombotic events. Results: WoundClot use shortened significantly the time needed for hemostasis. Mean venous BT decreased by 3.99 (±4.6) min and mean arterial BT by 6.38 (±4.8) min when using WoundClot compared to cotton gauze (p < 0.001). At the end of the study, dialysis adequacy expressed by spKt/V was higher in the WoundClot group compared to control (1.73 vs. 1.53, respectively, p = 0.047). Although patients in WoundClot group had a higher baseline BT, arterial and venous pressures did not differ between the groups after a median follow up of 10.8 months. AVF thrombosis rate was similar between the groups. Conclusions: WoundClot hemostatic gauze significantly reduced the time required for hemostasis after AVF decannulation and may be associated with better AVF preservation. We suggest using WoundClot for arterial BT longer than 15 min and for venous BT longer than 12.5 min.

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Long-Term Follow-Up of Early Cochlear Implant Device Activation

Audiology and Neurotology ◽

10.1159/000512760 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Stefanie Bruschke ◽

Uwe Baumann ◽

Timo Stöver

Keyword(s):

Speech Recognition ◽

Side Effects ◽

Cochlear Implant ◽

Surgical Techniques ◽

Control Group ◽

First Year ◽

Safe Procedure ◽

Sound Processor

Background: The cochlear implant (CI) is a standard procedure for the treatment of patients with severe to profound hearing loss. In the past, a standard healing period of 3–6 weeks occurred after CI surgery before the sound processor was initially activated. Advancements of surgical techniques and instruments allow an earlier initial activation of the processor within 14 days after surgery. Objective: Evaluation of the early CI device activation after CI surgery within 14 days, comparison to the first activation after 4–6 weeks, and assessment of the feasibility and safety of the early fitting over a 12 month observation period were the objectives of this study. Method: In a prospective study, 127 patients scheduled for CI surgery were divided into early fitting group (EF, n = 67) and control group (CG, n = 60). Individual questionnaires were used to evaluate medical and technical outcomes of the EF. Medical side effects, speech recognition, and follow-up effort were compared with the CG within the first year after CI surgery. Results: The early fitting was feasible in 97% of the EF patients. In the EF, the processor was activated 25 days earlier than in the CG. No major complications were observed in either group. At the follow-up appointments, side effects such as pain and balance problems occurred with comparable frequency in both groups. At initial fitting, the EF showed a significantly higher incidence of medical minor complications (p < 0.05). When developing speech recognition within the first year of CI use, no difference was observed. Furthermore, the follow-up effort within the first year after CI surgery was comparable in both groups. Conclusions: Early fitting of the sound processor is a feasible and safe procedure with comparable follow-up effort. Although more early minor complications were observed in the EF, there were no long-term wound healing problems caused by the early fitting. Regular inspection of the magnet strength is recommended as part of the CI follow-up since postoperative wound swelling must be expected. The early fitting procedure enabled a clear reduction in the waiting time between CI surgery and initial sound processor activation.

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Lichtenstein inguinal hernia repairs with porcine small intestine submucosa: a 5- year follow-up. a prospective randomized controlled study

Regenerative Biomaterials ◽

10.1093/rb/rbaa055 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Baoshan Li ◽

Xin Zhang ◽

Yi Man ◽

Jiadong Xie ◽

Wei Hu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Pain ◽

Inguinal Hernia ◽

Hernia Repair ◽

Term Effect ◽

Control Group ◽

Small Intestine Submucosa ◽

Long Term Effect ◽

Porcine Small Intestine Submucosa

Abstract Porcine small intestine submucosa (SIS) biologic patch has been used in inguinal hernia repair. However, there are little data available to assess the long-term effect after repair. This study aimed to explore the long-term effect of SIS patch in open inguinal hernia repair. Sevent-six patients with unilateral inguinal hernia were treated with Lichtenstein tension-free hernia repair using SIS patch (Beijing Datsing Bio-Tech Co., Ltd.) and Surgisis patch (COOK, USA) in Tianjin Union Medical Center and China-Japan Friendship Hospital. In the trial, the long-term efficacy of the treatment group and the control group were compared. A total of 66 patients in both groups received long-term follow-up (> 5 years) after surgery, with a follow-up rate of 86.8%. During the follow-up period, there was one case of recurrence, one case of chronic pain in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) in terms of recurrence, chronic pain, foreign body sensation and infection between the two groups of patients. After long-term observations, it has been found that the porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) biological patch is safe and effective for inguinal hernia Lichtenstein repair, and has a low recurrence rate and complication rate.

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Role and effectiveness of complex and supervised rehabilitation on overall and hand function in systemic sclerosis patients—one-year follow-up study

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-94549-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Michał Waszczykowski ◽

Bożena Dziankowska-Bartkowiak ◽

Michał Podgórski ◽

Jarosław Fabiś ◽

Arleta Waszczykowska

Keyword(s):

Systemic Sclerosis ◽

Hand Function ◽

Exercise Program ◽

Rehabilitation Program ◽

Long Term Results ◽

Home Exercise ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group

AbstractThe aim of this study was to estimate the long-term results of complex and supervised rehabilitation of the hands in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. Fifty-one patients were enrolled in this study: 27 patients (study group) were treated with a 4-week complex, supervised rehabilitation protocol. The control group of 24 patients was prescribed a home exercise program alone. Both groups were evaluated at baseline and after 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-months of follow-up with the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (DAHS) as the primary outcome, pain (VAS—visual analog scale), Cochin Hand Function Scale (CHFS), Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), Scleroderma-HAQ (SHAQ), range of motion (d-FTP—delta finger to palm, Kapandji finger opposition test) and hand grip and pinch as the secondary outcomes. Only the study group showed significant improvements in the DASH, VAS, CHFS and SHAQ after 1, 3 and 6 months of follow-up (P = 0.0001). Additionally, moderate correlations between the DASH, CHFS and SHAQ (R = 0.7203; R = 0.6788; P = 0.0001) were found. Complex, supervised rehabilitation improves hand and overall function in SSc patients up to 6 months after the treatment but not in the long term. The regular repetition of this rehabilitation program should be recommended every 3–6 months to maintain better hand and overall function.

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Nurse-based secondary preventive follow-up by telephone reduced recurrence of cardiovascular events: a randomised controlled trial

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-94892-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Anna-Lotta Irewall ◽

Anders Ulvenstam ◽

Anna Graipe ◽

Joachim Ögren ◽

Thomas Mooe

Keyword(s):

Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Primary Endpoint ◽

Cardiovascular Events ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Control Group ◽

Coronary Syndrome ◽

Secondary Endpoints ◽

Randomised Controlled

AbstractEnhanced follow-up is needed to improve the results of secondary preventive care in patients with established cardiovascular disease. We examined the effect of long-term, nurse-based, secondary preventive follow-up by telephone on the recurrence of cardiovascular events. Open, randomised, controlled trial with two parallel groups. Between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2014, consecutive patients (n = 1890) admitted to hospital due to stroke, transient ischaemic attack (TIA), or acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were included. Participants were randomised (1:1) to nurse-based telephone follow-up (intervention, n = 944) or usual care (control, n = 946) and followed until 31 December 2017. The primary endpoint was a composite of stroke, myocardial infarction, cardiac revascularisation, and cardiovascular death. The individual components of the primary endpoint, TIA, and all-cause mortality were analysed as secondary endpoints. The assessment of outcome events was blinded to study group assignment. After a mean follow-up of 4.5 years, 22.7% (n = 214) of patients in the intervention group and 27.1% (n = 256) in the control group reached the primary composite endpoint (HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.68–0.97; ARR 4.4%, 95% CI 0.5–8.3). Secondary endpoints did not differ significantly between groups. Nurse-based secondary preventive follow-up by telephone reduced the recurrence of cardiovascular events during long-term follow-up.

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Outcomes of Incisional Hernia Repair Surgery After Multiple Re-recurrences: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis

World Journal of Surgery ◽

10.1007/s00268-021-05952-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Dimitri Sneiders ◽

Gijs H. J. de Smet ◽

Floris den Hartog ◽

Yagmur Yurtkap ◽

Anand G. Menon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Propensity Score ◽

Incisional Hernia ◽

Incisional Hernia Repair ◽

Recurrent Hernia ◽

Control Group ◽

Baseline Characteristics ◽

Biological Situation ◽

Similar Risk

Abstract Background Patients with a re-recurrent hernia may account for up to 20% of all incisional hernia (IH) patients. IH repair in this population may be complex due to an altered anatomical and biological situation as a result of previous procedures and outcomes of IH repair in this population have not been thoroughly assessed. This study aims to assess outcomes of IH repair by dedicated hernia surgeons in patients who have already had two or more re-recurrences. Methods A propensity score matched analysis was performed using a registry-based, prospective cohort. Patients who underwent IH repair after ≥ 2 re-recurrences operated between 2011 and 2018 and who fulfilled 1 year follow-up visit were included. Patients with similar follow-up who underwent primary IH repair were propensity score matched (1:3) and served as control group. Patient baseline characteristics, surgical and functional outcomes were analyzed and compared between both groups. Results Seventy-three patients operated on after ≥ 2 IH re-recurrences were matched to 219 patients undergoing primary IH repair. After propensity score matching, no significant differences in patient baseline characteristics were present between groups. The incidence of re-recurrence was similar between groups (≥ 2 re-recurrences: 25% versus control 24%, p = 0.811). The incidence of complications, as well as long-term pain, was similar between both groups. Conclusion IH repair in patients who have experienced multiple re-recurrences results in outcomes comparable to patients operated for a primary IH with a similar risk profile. Further surgery in patients who have already experienced multiple hernia re-recurrences is justifiable when performed by a dedicated hernia surgeon.

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Long-Term Follow-Up After Maxillary Sinus Balloon Sinuplasty and ESS

Ear Nose & Throat Journal ◽

10.1177/0145561320986030 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 014556132098603

Author(s):

Anni Koskinen ◽

Marie Lundberg ◽

Markus Lilja ◽

Jyri Myller ◽

Matti Penttilä ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Maxillary Sinus ◽

Revision Surgery ◽

University Hospital ◽

Sinus Surgery ◽

Control Group ◽

University Hospitals ◽

Balloon Sinuplasty ◽

Long Term Follow Up

Objectives: The aim of this controlled follow-up study was to compare the need for revision surgery, long-term efficacy, and satisfaction in chronic rhinosinusitis patients who had undergone maxillary sinus operation with either balloon sinuplasty or traditional endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) technique. Methods: Thirty-nine ESS patients and 36 balloon patients of our previously described cohort, who had been primarily operated in 2008 to 2010, were contacted by phone. Symptoms, satisfaction, and need for revision surgery were asked. In addition, we collected data of patients who had undergone primary maxillary sinus balloon sinuplasty in the Helsinki University Hospital during the years 2005 to 2019. As a control group, we collected data of patients who had undergone primary maxillary sinus ESS at 3 Finnish University Hospitals, and 1 Central Hospital in years 2005, 2008, and 2011. Results: Altogether, 77 balloon patients and 82 ESS patients were included. The mean follow-up time was 5.3 years in balloon group and 9.8 years in ESS group. Revision surgery was performed on 17 balloon patients and 6 ESS patients. In the survival analysis, the balloon sinuplasty associated significantly with a higher risk of revision surgery compared to ESS. According to the phone interviews, 82% of ESS patients and 75% of balloon patients were very satisfied with the primary operation. Conclusion: Although the patient groups expressed equal satisfaction and change in symptoms after the operations, the need for revision surgery was higher after balloon sinuplasty than after ESS. This should be emphasized when counselling patients regarding surgical options.

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Efficacy of corticosteroid therapy in the treatment of long- lasting olfactory disorders in COVID-19 patients

Rhinology Journal ◽

10.4193/rhin20.515 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

pp. 0-0

Author(s):

L.A. Vaira ◽

C. Hopkins ◽

M. Petrocelli ◽

J.R. Lechien ◽

S. Cutrupi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Treatment Group ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Spontaneous Recovery ◽

Olfactory Function ◽

Control Group ◽

Initial Control ◽

Group A ◽

Control Study

BACKGROUND: The growing number of COVID-19 patients with long-lasting olfactory disorders makes it necessary to identify effective treatments that enhance the spontaneous recovery of olfactory function. METHODS: Multicentre randomised case-control study that involved 18 patients with COVID-19 related anosmia or severe hyposmia for more than 30 days. Nine patients were prescribed systemic prednisone and nasal irrigation with betamethasone, ambroxol and rinazine for 15 days. The other 9, untreated, patients were used as controls. The olfactory function was evaluated with CCCRC test at 20 and 40 days from the first evaluation. RESULTS: In the control group, a median olfactory score of 20 (IQR 30) was detected at baseline. At the 20-day control there was no significant improvement in olfactory function. The improvement in olfactory performance became significant at the 40-day follow-up compared to baseline scores [60 (IQR 60) versus 20 (IQR 30)]. In the treatment group, patients had a mean olfactory score of 10 (IQR 15) at initial control. At the 20-day control, a significant im-provement in the olfactory scores, compared to the baseline, was detected [70 (IQR 40) versus 10 (IQR 15)]. Olfactory function further improved at 40 days [median score 90 (IQR 50)]. Patients in the treatment group reported significantly higher improvements of the olfactory scores than the controls at both the 20-day [40 (IQR 45) versus 10 (IQR 15)] and 40-day [60 (IQR 40) versus 30 (IQR 25)] evaluations. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, the mix of drugs including steroids could represent a useful specific therapy to reduce the prevalence of this long-term morbidity.

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332 - Electroconvulsive therapy in older adults with major depression was not associated with cognitive decline during a 15-year follow-up

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s104161022000232x ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (S1) ◽

pp. 91-91

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Major Depression ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Electroconvulsive Therapy ◽

Antidepressant Treatment ◽

Community Sample ◽

Control Group

AUTHORS:Kerstin Johansson, Karolina Thömkvist, Ingmar Skoog and Sacuiu SF* (*presenter)OBJECTIVE:To determine the effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in major depression in relation to the development of dementia during long-term follow-up.METHOD:In an observational clinical prospective study of consecutive patients 70 years and older diagnosed with major depression at baseline 2000-2004 (n=1090), who were free of dementia and received antidepressant treatment, with or without ECT, we sought to determine if cognitive decline (mild cognitive impairment and dementia) during 15 -year follow-up was associated with receiving ECT at baseline. The control group was selected among the participants in the Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Studies matched by age group and sex 1:1.RESULTS:Among patients with affective syndromes 7% received ECT. During follow-up, 157 patients were diagnosed with dementia, equal proportions among those who received ECT (14.5%) and those who did not receive ECT (14.5%). The relation between ECT and cognitive decline remained non-significant irrespective antidepressive medication or presence of mild cognitive impairment at baseline.CONCLUSION:Preliminary results indicate that ECT was not associated with the development of cognitive decline in the long-term in a hospital-based cohort of 70+ year-olds. The results remain to verify against controls from a representative community sample.

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Long-Term Ultrasonography Follow-Up of Thyroid Colloid Cysts at the Health Center: A Single-Center Study

International Journal of Endocrinology ◽

10.1155/2015/324581 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Myung Ho Rho ◽

Dong Wook Kim

Keyword(s):

Health Center ◽

Gradual Increase ◽

Interval Change ◽

Single Center Study ◽

Long Term Follow Up ◽

Colloid Cysts ◽

Thyroid Colloid ◽

Center Study

Objective. No previous study has employed long-term follow-up ultrasonography (US) examinations for evaluating thyroid colloid cysts (TCCs) in the general population. This study aimed to assess the interval changes of TCCs at the health center by evaluating long-term US follow-up examinations.Methods. For evaluation of the thyroid gland at our health center from 2006 to 2010, 3692 individuals underwent 4 or more thyroid US examinations at an interval of 1 year or 2 years. We assessed the interval changes of TCCs ≥ 5 mm on US follow-up examinations.Results. Of the 3692 subjects, only 115 (3.1%) showed TCCs ≥ 5 mm on one or more thyroid US examinations. The interval changes in TCCs, as shown by the thyroid US examinations performed during the study period, were classified as follows: no interval change (n=60), gradual increase (n=37), gradual decrease (n=6), positive fluctuation (n=10), negative fluctuation (n=0), and disappearance (n=2). No subject reported any relevant symptom pertaining to TCCs.Conclusions. Overall, follow-up US examinations showed various interval changes in TCCs, but a majority of TCCs showed no interval change or a gradual increase in size.

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Longitudinal impact and effects of booster sessions in a cognitive training program for healthy elderly

10.31234/osf.io/uqgdw ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Lucas Matias Felix ◽

Marcela Mansur Alves ◽

Mariana Teles ◽

Laura Jamison ◽

Hudson Golino

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Training ◽

Passive Control ◽

Control Group ◽

Longitudinal Impact ◽

Healthy Older Adults ◽

Booster Sessions ◽

Experimental Group

This paper reports the results from a three-years follow-up study to access the long-term efficacy of a cognitive training for healthy older adults and investigates the effects of booster sessions on the cognitive performance of the participants using an innovative analytical approach from information theory. Design: semi-randomized quasi-experimental controlled design. Participants: 50 healthy older adults, (M = 73.3, SD = 7.77) were assigned into an experimental (N = 25; Mean age = 73.9; SD = 8.62) and a passive control group (N = 25; mean age = 72.9; SD = 6.97). Instruments: six subtests of WAIS and two episodic memory tasks. Procedures: the participants were assessed in four occasions: after the end of the original intervention, pre-booster sessions (three years after the original intervention), immediately after the booster sessions and three months after the booster sessions. Results: the repeated measures ANOVA showed that two gains reported in the original intervention were identified in the follow-up: Coding (F(1, 44) = 11.79, MSE = 0.77, p = .001, ηˆG2 = .084) and Picture Completion (F(1, 47) = 10.01, MSE = 0.73, p = .003, ηˆG2 = .060). After the booster sessions, all variables presented a significant interaction between group and time favorable to the experimental group (moderate to high effect sizes). To compare the level of cohesion of the cognitive variables between the groups, an entropy-based metric was used. The experimental group presented a lower level of cohesion in three of the four measurement occasions, suggesting a differential impact of the intervention with immediate and short-term effects, but without long-term effects.

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