scholarly journals A decision-making guide for the closure of myelomeningocele skin defects with or without primary repair

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cemal Alper Kemaloğlu ◽  
İrfan Özyazgan ◽  
Ömer Faruk Ünverdi
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Primary Closure ◽  
Primary Repair ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Wound Complications ◽  
Width Ratio ◽  
Skin Defect ◽  
Skin Defects

OBJECTIVE The closure of the skin defect in myelomeningocele (MMC) repair is an essential step that determines the quality of the surgical result. The success of surgical results is related to the decision to use the most suitable techniques, namely flaps or primary closure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a decision-making guide to determine whether to use primary repair or a flap for the closure of skin defects that occur in MMC. METHODS Fifty patients underwent surgery after neurosurgical repair and closure of the placode. A simple guide was generated according to the defect height/width and posterior axillary lines/defect width ratio. These 2 ratios were considered to determine which closure technique (with or without primary repair) should be used for the MMC defect reconstruction. RESULTS By using this decision-making guide, 20 of the defects were repaired with various flaps, and those of the remaining 30 patients were repaired with primary closure. In all patients, a successful tension-free 1-stage closure was obtained. Except for 4 patients who had flap reconstruction with partial flap necrosis or minimal flap tip necrosis, healing was uneventful without any complications. There were no additional wound complications during the mean follow-up of 6.8 years (range 5 months to 14 years). CONCLUSIONS Because of various defect sizes and patient characteristics, no single protocol exists for the reconstruction of MMC defects. The guide suggested here might be effective in deciding which method is suitable for closure of MMC skin defects.

scholarly journals Characteristics Predicting the Outcome in Individuals with Diabetic Foot Ulcerations

2017 ◽  
Vol 107 (3) ◽  
pp. 180-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lourdes Vella ◽  
Cynthia Formosa
Keyword(s):  
Ulcer Healing ◽  
Diabetic Foot ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Hemoglobin A1c ◽  
Foot Ulcer ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Outpatient Setting ◽  
Foot Complications

Background: We sought to determine patient and ulcer characteristics that predict wound healing in patients living with diabetes. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on 99 patients presenting with diabetic foot ulceration. Patient and ulcer characteristics were recorded. Patients were followed up for a maximum of 1 year. Results: After 1 year of follow-up, ulcer characteristics were more predictive of ulcer healing than were patient characteristics. Seventy-seven percent of ulcers had healed and 23% had not healed. Independent predictors of nonhealing were ulcer stage (P = .003), presence of biofilm (P = .020), and ulcer depth (P = .028). Although this study demonstrated that the baseline hemoglobin A1c reading at the start of the study was not a significant predictor of foot ulcer outcome (P = .603, resolved versus amputated), on further statistical analyses, when hemoglobin A1c was compared with the time taken for complete ulcer healing (n = 77), it proved to be significant (P = .009). Conclusions: The factors influencing healing are ulcer stage, presence of biofilm, and ulcer depth. These findings have important implications for clinical practice, especially in an outpatient setting. Prediction of outcome may be helpful for health-care professionals in individualizing and optimizing clinical assessment and management of patients. Identification of determinants of outcome could result in improved health outcomes, improved quality of life, and fewer diabetes-related foot complications.

scholarly journals Does a missed obstetric anal sphincter injury at time of delivery affect short-term functional outcome?

2018 ◽  
Vol 100 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Ramage ◽  
C Yen ◽  
S Qiu ◽  
C Simillis ◽  
C Kontovounisios ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Anal Sphincter ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Primary Repair ◽  
Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Sphincter Injury ◽  
Anal Sphincter Injury

Introduction This study aimed to ascertain whether missed obstetric anal sphincter injury at delivery had worse functional and quality of life outcomes than primary repair immediately following delivery. Materials and methods Two to one propensity matching was undertaken of patients presenting to a tertiary pelvic floor unit with ultrasound evidence of missed obstetric anal sphincter injury within 24 months of delivery with patients who underwent primary repair at the time of delivery by parity, grade of injury and time to assessment. Outcomes compared included Birmingham Bowel, Bladder and Urinary Symptom Questionnaire (BBUSQ), Wexner Incontinence Score, Short Form-36, Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire and anorectal physiology results. Results Thirty-two missed anal sphincter injuries were matched two to one with sixty-two patients who underwent primary repair of an anal sphincter defect. Mean time to follow-up was 9.31 ± 6.79 months. Patients with a missed anal sphincter injury had suffered more incontinence, as seen in higher the Birmingham Bowel, Bladder and Urinary Symptom Questionnaire (BBUSQ; 30.56% ± 14.41% vs. 19.75% ± 15.65%, P = 0.002) and Wexner scores (6.00 ± 3.76 vs. 3.67 ± 4.06, P = 0.009). They also had a worse BBUSQ urinary domain score (28.25% ± 14.9% vs. 17.01 ± 13.87%, P = 0.001) and worse physical functioning as measured by the Short Form-36 questionnaire (P = 0.045). There were no differences in other outcomes compared, including anorectal physiology and sexual function. Discussion In the short-term, patients with a missed obstetric anal sphincter injury had significantly worse faecal incontinence and urinary function scores, however quality of life and sexual function were largely comparable between groups. Conclusions Longer-term follow-up is needed to assess the effects of missed obstetric anal sphincter injury over time.

P1358THE MONITORING OF FIRST LEVEL IN DIAGNOSIS OF COMPLICATION OF VASCULAR ACCESS: MULTICENTRIC STUDY ON 900 HEMODIALIZED PATIENTS WITH FOLLOW UP TO 5 YEARS

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ersilia Satta ◽  
Carmine Romano ◽  
Carmelo Alfarone ◽  
Sandro Gentile ◽  
Domenico Russo
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Access ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Venous Pressure ◽  
Duplex Ultrasound ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Multicentric Study ◽  
Flow Monitoring ◽  
The Status

Abstract Background and Aims Vascular Access (VA) is the lifeline of hemodialysis patient. The universal goal of access monitoring is to identify access stenosis and enable intervention prior to thrombosis; thereby, maximizing access longevity and minimizing morbidity. The advent and use of techniques including dynamic and static venous pressure monitoring, physical examination, access flow measurement, imagining and combined imaging and flow monitoring by duplex ultrasound demonstrate that it is possible to predict which accesses are at high risk for future thrombosis. Currently arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and arteriovenous graft (AVF) have been recognized as the permanent access. This study takes advantage of the opportunity to utilize data from 19 associated Dialysis Clinics to examine trends in VA use, trends in patient characteristics and practice associated with VA. Determine the status quo of the overall information related to the VA to start a five years follow up study with the aims to reduce VA complications 8stenosis and thrombosis) and related hospitalization days to improve patient’s quality of life. Method VA data were collected for each patient at study entry. Practice pattern data from the facility medical director, nurse manager and VA surgeon were also analyzed. We have developed a mask on the management database to implement the first level monitoring of access and collected data at each treatment (Fig.1) Results Average age of 801 patients enrolled was 73,5 years. Native AVF was used by 79%, AVG by 2% and CVC by 19%. As the age increase as well as he use of CVC move from 6% (15-39(years) to 50,5% in patients with more than 85 years. Most frequent complications were: Thrombosis 16,5 %, Infectios 5,5%. Related VA hospitalization days are 28,7 % of total days. Average dialysis goals achieved were: QB 290 ml/Min; blood processed 69,7 L; KT/V:1,35. Conclusion By interpreting collecting data for specific performance measures using accurate reports allow health care professionals to highlight the VA performance/inefficiences and provide correct information to the clinical staff to support them in their daily clinical practice and decision making.

scholarly journals Does the quality of preoperative closed reduction of displaced ankle fractures affect wound complications after surgical fixation?

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473011418S0018
Author(s):  
Bonnie Chien ◽  
Kristen Stupay ◽  
Christopher Miller ◽  
Jeremy Smith ◽  
Jorge Briceno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Classification System ◽  
Closed Reduction ◽  
Ankle Fracture ◽  
Ankle Fractures ◽  
Wound Complications ◽  
Complication Rates ◽  
Ankle Osteoarthritis ◽  
Surgical Fixation

Category: Trauma Introduction/Purpose: Prompt reduction and stabilization of displaced ankle fractures is important to protect soft tissues, restore potential neurovascular deficits and prevent cartilage injury. Many of these injuries do eventually require surgical fixation. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the initial quality of ankle closed reduction based on radiographic criteria would affect outcomes such as ankle osteoarthritis and complications after surgery. Furthermore, we sought to develop a classification system for the quality of closed reduction that would be easy to use and provide interrater reliability. Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients who sustained isolated, closed ankle fractures with at least 3 months follow up postoperatively at two level 1 trauma centers was performed. Patient demographics and history, ankle fracture characteristics and reduction information as well as surgical outcomes and complications were collected. A grading classification for the quality of the initial closed reduction before surgery was developed based on standard AP or mortise and lateral ankle x-rays. The factors considered for rating the reduction included the degree of talar shift on the AP/mortise view, malleoli displacement, as well the relationship of a central plumb line to the center of the talar dome on the lateral x-ray. For ankle osteoarthritis, the Takakura classification was utilized. Three reviewers (1 resident, 2 attendings) independently reviewed and rated all imaging. Results: 161 patients were analyzed. 65% female, average age 50, average 4 days between injury and surgery, mean follow up of 12 months (3-58 months), and 17% wound complications. Psychiatric history was the single comorbidity significantly associated with complications (p=0.009). There was no difference in wound or infection complication rates based on initial closed reduction quality (p=0.17). Neither number nor quality of reductions correlated with increased osteoarthritis (p=0.19, 0.39 respectively). Worst graded reductions had shorter time to surgery, mean 1.4 vs 4.7 days for best reductions (p=0.03), suggesting a protective factor that may account for no association between reduction quality and wound complications. Interclass correlation coefficients for multiple observers showed very high consistency for grading of reduction quality based on the classification system (ICC >0.85, p<0.001). Conclusion: It is often emphasized that a displaced ankle fracture should be as perfectly reduced as possible, understandably for grossly dislocated ankle fracture dislocations potentially compromising skin and neurovascular structures. At the same time, this original study demonstrated contrary to common assumption that the initial quality of ankle closed reduction does not appear to affect the severity of ankle osteoarthritis or the rate of surgical complications. This study also developed a highly reproducible ankle reduction classification system. It opens the opportunity for future prospective application and analysis of this classification’s ultimate clinical utility.

dtectDx Breast: A serum biomarker test for breast cancer detection used in conjunction with traditional mammography screening.

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (26_suppl) ◽  
pp. 18-18
Author(s):  
Meredith C. Henderson ◽  
Keri Sweeten ◽  
Sherri Borman ◽  
Christa Corn ◽  
Lindsey Gordon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
False Positive Rate ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Protein Biomarkers ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Positive Rate ◽  
Previous Clinical Study

18 Background: Provista Diagnostics has developed a test that analyzes serum concentrations of 5 protein biomarkers in order to detect breast cancer. The dtectDx Breast test utilizes a proprietary algorithm that has been described previously (Weber et al. 2010). In this study, it was noted that the algorithm performs best in women under age 50. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance characteristics of dtectDx Breast in women under age 50 in a commercial setting and compare the results with data from the previous clinical study. Methods: The dtectDx Breast test measures the concentrations of IL-8, IL-12, VEGF, CEA, and HGF via ELISA. These data combined with select patient characteristics and Provista’s proprietary algorithm result in a test value that is characterized as normal or elevated. dtectDx Breast test reports issued for women under age 50 were reviewed from a 3-year time period and prescribing physicians were interviewed regarding follow-up care and outcome measures (largely imaging studies, if warranted). Results: Of the 908 patients, 8 samples were rejected based on serum quality. Of the remaining 900 patients, 121 were reported as elevated (12.7%). In 4 cases, these elevated results were confirmed cases of breast cancer. Of these, 2 patients initially showed no screening evidence of cancer, but upon further evaluation (after receipt of dtectDx Breast results) were diagnosed with breast cancer. dtectDx correctly identified DCIS 66% of the time (n=2). Conclusions: These results describe the use of dtectDx Breast in a clinical setting and confirm that the assay behaves similarly to previously published results (Weber et al 2010). While the false-positive rate is higher than predicted (12.7% vs 6.8%), the assay correctly identified 4 of 4 invasive cancers and 2 of 3 DCIS cases. Since two of the invasive cancer cases were originally not detected via standard screening procedures, the assay has demonstrated important clinical utility when used in conjunction with mammography/standard of care. Here we show that, in the commercial patient population, when combined with standard of care, dtectDx Breast improves the detection of breast cancer in women under 50.

scholarly journals A retrospective analysis of early experience with modified complete primary repair of exstrophy bladder (CPRE) in neonates and children

2013 ◽  
Vol 46 (03) ◽  
pp. 549-554 ◽  
Author(s):  
Santosh B. Kurbet ◽  
Gowda P. Prashanth ◽  
Mahantesh V. Patil ◽  
Shivaji Mane
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Primary Repair ◽  
Bladder Exstrophy ◽  
Psychosocial Impact ◽  
Quality Of Life Inventory ◽  
Pedsql 4.0 ◽  
Continence Rate ◽  
Good Cosmesis

ABSTRACT Objective: To study the problems faced during the surgery and follow-up of modified complete primary repair of exstrophy (CPRE) technique. Initial experience with CPRE and its short- and long-term outcomes with respect to continence status and psychosocial impact are reported. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of the hospital case records from March 2008 to September 2012 was performed. Data of patients with bladder exstrophy managed by a single paediatric surgeon using modified CPRE technique were analysed. Quality of life and psychosocial impact of the surgery were assessed using Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL 4.0) and compared with those of typical peers. Results: Eight children (age 4 days-12 years) underwent CPRE using modified Mitchell′s technique. Two patients (25%) experienced early postoperative complications, with infection and fistula developing in one each. All the patients were doing well on follow-up, with variable continence rates and good cosmesis. Mean duration of follow-up was 18.5 months (range 6 months-4 years). Five out of seven (71%) children were continent or partially continent. One case was lost to follow-up. PedsQL scores were comparable with those of age-matched peers in all domains except the social functioning domain in 8-12 years age group (83.53 ± 9.70 vs. 77.86 ± 10.22, P < 0.05). Conclusion: Our preliminary results with modified CPRE in neonates and children have been encouraging. No major complications were observed. Continence rate was satisfactory and cosmetic results were good. Though the technique is being practiced at several Indian centres, there is a paucity of comprehensive Indian data on CPRE.

scholarly journals Evaluating the efficacy of an Advanced Care Planning Program for Health Decisions in patients with advanced heart failure: protocol for a Randomized Clinical Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatriz Sánchez ◽  
Carlos Guijarro ◽  
María Velasco ◽  
María Jesús Vicente ◽  
Miguel Galán ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Advanced Heart Failure ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Advanced Care Planning ◽  
Health Decisions ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background An Advanced Care Planning (ACP) program of health decisions is the result of a process of reflection and relationship-building between the patient, their relatives and health professionals. It is based on respect for patients’ autonomy, involving them in making decisions about their disease in a way that is shared between the medical team, the patient and their relatives. Up until now, the efficacy of an ACP has not been measured in the existing literature, and therefore it is unknown if these programs reach their goal. The main objective of our study is to evaluate the efficacy of an ACP program for decision-making in patients with advanced heart failure (HF) in comparison to usual follow up and care. This objective will be evaluated by the Patient Activation Measure test, which measures the participation and self-management of the patient in decision-making. Secondary objectives: to evaluate the effect of the program on quality of life, to know if the patients wishes expressed through the ACP program are fulfilled, to measure the impact of the program on patients’ caregivers, to determine the satisfaction of patients included in the program and to evaluate the effect on quality of death. Methods Randomized multicentre clinical trial at four hospitals in Madrid. Once they are included in the study, patients’ allocation to groups (control vs intervention) will be made by alternative sampling. ACP will be applied to the intervention group, whereas in the Control Group usual follow-up will be carried out in HF units. All patients will fulfil questionnaires and tests related to the objectives of the study again after a 12-month follow-up period in order to gauge the effect of ACP in patients with advanced HF. Discussion The characteristics of patients with advanced HF make them a model for designing ACP programs, given the high prevalence of this disease, the progressive increase in its incidence and it’s clinical characteristics. Until now, the efficacy of this type of program has not been measured, so this Clinical Trial can provide relevant data for future ACP projects. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04424680. Registered 9 June 2020. Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04424680?term=NCT04424680&draw=2&rank=1.

A Comparative Study of Video Endoscopic Inguinal Lymphadenectomy and Conventional Open Inguinal Lymphadenectomy for Treating Vulvar Cancer

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (9) ◽  
pp. 1983-1989 ◽  
Author(s):  
Menglei Zhang ◽  
Limei Chen ◽  
Xuyin Zhang ◽  
Jingxin Ding ◽  
Keqin Hua
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Vulvar Cancer ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Wound Complications ◽  
Lymph Node Yield ◽  
Oncological Outcomes ◽  
Inguinal Lymphadenectomy ◽  
The Veil

ObjectiveThis study aims to compare the complications, oncological outcomes, cosmetic satisfaction, and quality of life experienced by women with vulvar cancer undergoing video endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy (VEIL) versus conventional open inguinal lymphadenectomy (COIL).Patients and MethodsForty-eight consecutive patients with vulvar cancer who underwent COIL (n = 27) or VEIL (n = 21) at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China between 2003 and 2016 were included in this retrospective cohort study. The perioperative data, postoperative complications, oncological outcomes, cosmetic satisfaction, and quality of life of the COIL and VEIL groups were compared.ResultsTwenty patients (74.1%) in the COIL group and 19 patients (90.5%) in the VEIL group returned for follow-up after the operation. The median follow-up time was 73 months (8–162 months) for the COIL group and 28 months (8–58 months) for the VEIL group. The inguinal lymph node yield in the VEIL group was comparable with that in the COIL group (15 ± 5 vs 18 ± 6,P= 0.058). The VEIL and COIL groups had a similar 2-year recurrence rate (10.5% vs 10%,P= 0.957) and 2-year disease-specific survival rate (95.5% vs 93.3%,P= 0.724). The wound complication rate was significantly lower in the VEIL group than the COIL group (4.8% vs 55.6%,P= 0.000). The VEIL group had higher body image scores (16.27 ± 1.20 vs 13.16 ± 0.87,P< 0.0001) and cosmetic scores (20.13 ± 0.98 vs 16.92 ± 0.72,P< 0.0001) than the COIL group. The patients in the VEIL group had higher life quality scores on the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—Vulvar questionnaire than those in the COIL group (165.9 ± 6.3 vs 160.5 ± 6.0,P= 0.026).ConclusionsCompared with COIL, VEIL can effectively reduce postoperative wound complications and improve patients' cosmetic satisfaction and life quality without compromising therapeutic efficacy. Hence, we believe that VEIL is a good alternative to COIL for vulvar cancer patients when surgical expertise is available.

scholarly journals Patient characteristics and valuation changes impact quality of life and satisfaction in total knee arthroplasty – results from a German prospective cohort study

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Felix ◽  
Christian Becker ◽  
Matthias Vogl ◽  
Peter Buschner ◽  
Werner Plötz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Total Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Response Shift ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Shared Decision ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Total Knee ◽  
Preoperative Patient

Abstract Background Evaluation of variations in pre- and postoperative patient reported outcomes (PRO) and the association between preoperative patient characteristics and health and satisfaction outcomes after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) may support shared decision-making in Germany. Since previous research on TKA health outcomes indicated valuation differences in longitudinal data, experienced-based population weights were used for the first time as an external valuation system to measure discrepancies between patient and average population valuation of HRQoL. Methods Baseline data (n = 203) included sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and PROs, measured by the EQ-5D-3 L and WOMAC. Six-month follow-up data (n = 161) included medical changes since hospital discharge, PROs and satisfaction. A multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between preoperative patient characteristics and PRO scores. Patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) was calculated to provide a satisfaction threshold. Patient-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) valuations were compared with average experienced-based population values to detect changes in valuation. Results One hundred thirty-seven subjects met inclusion criteria. All PRO measures improved significantly. Preoperative WOMAC and EQ-5D VAS, housing situation, marital status, age and asthma were found to be predictors of postoperative outcomes. 73% of study participants valued their preoperative HRQoL higher than the general population valuation, indicating response shift. Preoperatively, patient-reported EQ-5D VAS was substantially higher than average experienced-based population values. Postoperatively, this difference declined sharply. Approximately 61% of the patients reported satisfactory postoperative health, being mainly satisfied with results if postoperative WOMAC was ≥82.49 (change ≥20.25) and postoperative EQ-5D VAS was ≥75 (change ≥6). Conclusion On average, patients benefited from TKA. Preoperative WOMAC and EQ-5D VAS were predictors of postoperative outcomes after TKA. Particularly patients with high absolute preoperative PRO scores were more likely to remain unsatisfied. Therefore, outcome prediction can contribute to shared-decision making. Using general population valuations as a reference, this study underlined a discrepancy between population and patient valuation of HRQoL before, but not after surgery, thus indicating a potential temporary response shift before surgery.

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