The impact of body position and exercise on the measurement of liver Young’s modulus by real-time shear wave elastography

BACKGROUND: In the past ten years, liver biopsies have been used as a method to accurately diagnose the stage of fibrosis. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate whether body position and exercise affect the measurement of liver Young’s modulus of healthy volunteers by real-time shear wave elastography (RT-SWE). Methods: RT-SWE was used to measure liver Young’s modulus in the supine and left lateral positions of 70 healthy volunteers at rest and measure the liver Young’s modulus in the lying position before exercise, and at zero, five, and ten minutes of rest after exercise. RESULTS: The liver Young’s modulus in the left lateral position was significantly higher than in the supine position (P< 0.05), and the measured value in the supine position was more stable than the left lateral position. The liver Young’s modulus measured at zero minutes after exercise was significantly higher than that measured before exercise (P< 0.05). The liver Young’s modulus measured at five minutes after exercise was significantly higher than that measured at zero minutes after exercise (P<0.05) and was not statistically different from the measured value before exercise (P> 0.05). The liver Young’s modulus measured at ten minutes after exercise was significantly higher from that measured at zero minutes after exercise (P< 0.05) and was not statistically different from the measured value at five minutes after exercise (P> 0.05). CONCLUSION: Body position and exercise have a significant impact on the measurement of liver Young’s modulus. It is recommended that the examinees take a supine position during the measurement, and measurement should be conducted at least ten minutes after exercise.

Traditional Childbearing Beliefs and Practices among Mothers at a District Hospital in Goa

Background: Traditional health practices are observed by mothers in every region of the world with varying frequency. They often get influenced by their peers and elders and follow some potentially harmful practices during their childbearing period. Aim: To identify and describe various traditional beliefs and practices observed during pregnancy among mothers at South Goa District Hospital. Methods: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study. It was conducted over a period of 3 months (March-May 2019) among postnatal mothers by interviewing study participants about various cultural beliefs and practices observed during pregnancy. Data were entered into an Excel spreadsheet and analysed using SPSS version 22. Results: Nearly two-thirds of the study participants (68.75%) avoided going outdoors and laid in bed during an eclipse while 42.5% avoided sleeping on the abdomen or slept in the left lateral position to avoid birth defects in babies. To predict the sex of the baby, 12.5% of the mothers believed that if a pregnant lady craves sweet food, it’s a girl and if she craves sour/ salty food, it’s a boy while 11.5% believed that if a pregnant woman is carrying low, it’s a boy. With respect to food taboos, 53.75% of the mothers believed in avoiding ‘hot’ foods and eating ‘cold’ foods during pregnancy. Conclusion: The study highlights the popular traditional childbearing practices observed among mothers as a means of creating awareness among health professionals in order to discourage possible harmful practices and promote beneficial practices for a safe and healthy pregnancy.

The Effect of Left Lateral Position and Squatting Position on The Progress of The Active Phase of The First Stage of Labor Among Primigravida Women at Private Practice Midwife Istikomah, Amd. Keb, Sampung Subdistrict, Ponorogo District

Primigravida women mostly experience prolonged progress of labor due to the stiff birth canal. There are several positions of labor that may accelerate cervix dilatation process including squatting. This study aimed to determine the effect of left lateral position and squatting position on the progress of the active phase of the first stage of labor among primigravida women. This was a pre-experimental study with Pre test - post test approach. The population was all primigravida women in labor at Private Practive Midwife Istikomah, Amd.Keb., Sampung Subdistrict, Ponorogo District, taken with an accidental sampling technique which obtained 9 respondents. The independent variable was labour position, while the dependent variable was duration of the active phase of the first stage of labor. The data collection instrument used here was observation sheet. The results were analyzed using Paired sample T-test (α=0,05). The results showed that before the application of left lateral and squatting positions in VT 1, all 9 respondents (100%) had normal labour progress and after the application of left lateral and squatting positions in VT 2, most respondents (77.8%) had labour progress in short category. The analysis obtained a p-value=0.000<α=0.05. Thus, there was an effect of left lateral position and squatting position on the progress of the active phase of the first stage of labor among primigravida women. The combination of squatting and left lateral positions during labour seems to accelerate the progress of the active phase of the first stage of labor with minimal side effects.

Self-Reported Onset of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Is Related to Sleeping Body Position

Background: Because stretch of the atrial myocardium is proarrhythmic for atrial fibrillation (AF) and a left lateral body position increases atrial dimensions in humans, we hypothesized that left lateral recumbence is a frequent AF-triggering body position in AF patients.Methods: We performed a questionnaire study of symptomatic paroxysmal AF (episodes of AF &lt; 1 week) patients scheduled for a first AF ablation therapy at Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands and at University Hospital, Bordeaux, France.Results: Ninety-four symptomatic paroxysmal AF patients were included [mean age 61 ± 11 years, median AF history of 29(48) months, 31% were females]. Twenty-two percent of patients reported a specific body position as a trigger of their AF symptoms. The triggering body position was left lateral position in 57% of cases, supine position in 33%, right lateral position in 10%, and prone position in 5% (p = 0.003 overall difference in prevalence). Patients with positional AF had a higher body mass index compared to patients without nocturnal/positional AF [28.7(4.2) and 25.4(5.2) kg/m2, respectively, p = 0.025], but otherwise resembled these patients.Conclusion: Body position, and the left lateral position, in particular, is a common trigger of AF in symptomatic AF patients. Moreover, positional AF is associated with overweight. Understanding of the underlying mechanisms of positional AF can contribute to AF treatment and prevention.

The Differences of Left Lateral and Head Elevation Position toward Heart Rate of Newborns with Asphyxia in the Perinatology Room RSUD Dr. Soediran Mangun Sumarso Wonogiri

BACKGROUND: Asphyxia delivery results in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and multiorgan failure. The organ most affected by hypoxia is the cardiovascular system. Newborns with asphyxia have a lack of oxygen (hypoxia) and have an increased heart rate (tachycardia). Giving baby positions, such as supination position, pronation, right lateral, left lateral, and head elevation, are expected to improve the hemodynamic of newborns with asphyxia. AIM: This study was to determine the difference in effect between left lateral position and the head elevation position on the heart rate of newborns with asphyxia in the perinatology room of RSUD Dr. Soediran Mangun Sumarso Wonogiri. METHODS: This research is a quasi-experimental quantitative study with a pre- and post-test non-equivalent control group design. Sampling using non-probability sampling technique with consecutive sampling. The sample was divided into two groups, namely, the intervention group with 30 respondents who got the left lateral position and the control group with 30 respondents who got the head elevation position. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences parametric test with paired t-test and independent t-test. RESULTS: The results of paired t-test analysis in the intervention group obtained p = 0.003 (p < 0.05) and in the control group obtained p < 0.001 (p < 0.05), which means that both have a significantly on changes in the heart rate of newborns with asphyxia. The results of the independent t-test analysis obtained p = 0.191 (p < 0.05), which means that there is no significant difference in the heart rate of newborns with asphyxia in the intervention and control groups. CONCLUSION: Both interventions, giving the left lateral position and the head elevation position, have a significantly effect on changes in the heart rate of newborns with asphyxia.

Incidental unintentional breakage of epidural catheter in supralaminar area: A case report

Background: Among some of the known complications, breakage of epidural catheter, though is extremely rare, is a well-established entity. Visualization of retained catheter is difficult even with current radiological imaging techniques, and active surgical intervention might be necessary for removal of catheter fragment. We report such a case of breakage of an epidural catheter during its insertion which led to surgical intervention. Case Description: A 52-year-old, an 18G radiopaque epidural catheter was inserted through an 18G Tuohy needle into the epidural space at T8-T9 interspace in left lateral position. Resistance was encountered. While the catheter was being removed with gentle traction along with Tuohy needle, it sheared off at 12 cm mark. After informing the operating surgeon and the patient, immediately an magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography (CT) scan were done. CT scan with sagittal and coronal reconstruction was done. Epidural catheter was visualized at D9 lamina-spinous process junction who was removed by surgical intervention. Conclusion: Leaving of epidural catheter puts the anesthetist in a dilemma. To evade such an event, it is important to stick to the traditional guiding principle for epidural insertion and removal. In spite of safety measures, if event occurs, the patient should be informed about it. Surgery is reserved for symptomatic patients or asymptomatic patients to avoid future complications.

Efficacy of Body Armor in Protection Against Blast Injuries Using a Swine Model in a Confined Space with a Blast Tube

The purpose of this study was to clarify whether or not body armor would protect the body of a swine model using a blast tube built at National Defense Medical College, which is the first such blast tube in Japan. Seventeen pigs were divided into two groups: the body armor group and the non-body armor group. Under intravenous anesthesia, the pigs were tightly fixed in the left lateral position on a table and exposed from the back neck to the upper lumbar back to the blast wave and wind with or without body armor, with the driving pressure of the blast tube set to 3.0 MPa. When the surviving and dead pigs were compared, blood gas analyses revealed significant differences in PaO2, PaCO2, and pH in the super-early phase. All pigs injured by the blast wave and wind had lung hemorrhage. All 6 animals in the body armor group and 6 of the 11 animals in the control group survived for 3 hours after injury. Respiratory arrest immediately after exposure to the blast wave was considered to influence the mortality in our pig model. Body armor may have a beneficial effect in protecting against respiratory arrest immediately after an explosion.

Effect of dynamic position changes on adenoma detection rate during colonoscope withdrawal: systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and study aims The adenoma detection rate (ADR) is an important quality metric of colonoscopy. Higher ADR correlates with lower incidence of interval colorectal cancer. ADR is variable between endoscopists and depends upon the withdrawal technique amongst other factors. Dynamic position change (lateral rotation of patients with a view to keep the portion of the colon being inspected at a higher level) helps with luminal distension during the withdrawal phase. However, impact of this on ADR is not known in a pooled sample. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to study the impact of dynamic position changes during withdrawal phase of colonoscopy on ADR Methods A comprehensive search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Database was conducted from each database’s inception to search for studies comparing dynamic position changes during colonoscope withdrawal with static left lateral position (control). The primary outcome of interest was ADR. Other studied outcomes were polyp detection rate (PDR) and withdrawal time. Outcomes were reported as pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI) with statistical significance (P < 0.05). RevMan 5.3 software was used for statistical analysis. Results Six studies were included in our analysis with 2860 patients. Of these, dynamic position change was implemented in 1177 patients while 1183 patients served as the controls. ADR was significantly higher in the dynamic position change group with pooled OR 1.36 (95 % CI, 1.15–1.61; P < 0.01). There was low heterogeneity in inclusion studies (I2 = 0 %). PDR was numerically higher in position change group (53.4 % vs 49.6 %) but not statistically significant (P = 0.16). Mean withdrawal time did not significantly change with dynamic position change (12.43 min vs 11.46 min, P = 0.27). Conclusion Position change during the withdrawal phase of colonoscopy can increase the ADR compared to static left lateral position. This is an easy and practical technique that can be implemented to improve ADR.

Lateral position during severe mono-lateral pneumonia: an experimental study

Patients with mono-lateral pneumonia and severe respiratory failure can be positioned in lateral decubitus, with the healthy lung dependent, to improve ventilation-perfusion coupling. Oxygenation response to this manoeuvre is heterogeneous and derecruitment of dependent lung has not been elucidated. Nine pigs (32.2 ± 1.2 kg) were sedated and mechanically ventilated. Mono-lateral right-sided pneumonia was induced with intrabronchial challenge of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. After 24 h, lungs were recruited and the animals were randomly positioned on right or left side. After 3 h of lateral positioning, the animals were placed supine; another recruitment manoeuvre was performed, and the effects of contralateral decubitus were assessed. Primary outcome was lung ultrasound score (LUS) of the dependent lung after 3-h lateral positioning. LUS of the left non-infected lung worsened while positioned in left-lateral position (from 1.33 ± 1.73 at baseline to 6.78 ± 4.49; p = 0.005). LUS of the right-infected lung improved when placed upward (9.22 ± 2.73 to 6.67 ± 3.24; p = 0.09), but worsened in right-lateral position (7.78 ± 2.86 to 13.33 ± 3.08; p < 0.001). PaO2/FiO2 improved in the left-lateral position (p = 0.005). In an animal model of right-lung pneumonia, left-lateral decubitus improved oxygenation, but collapsed the healthy lung. Right-lateral orientation further collapsed the diseased lung. Our data raise potential clinical concerns for the use of lateral position in mono-lateral pneumonia.

Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy in Semi-Prone Position (Pawar Technique): Technical Aspects and Outcome in 224 Patients

Background and Objectives There are two patient positions described for minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) for esophageal cancer, viz., left lateral and prone positions. To retain the benefits and overcome the disadvantages of these positions, a semi-prone position was developed by us. Our objective was to analyze the feasibility of performing MIE in this position. Materials and Methods A retrospective review of patients who underwent MIE at our center from January 2007 to December 2017 was done. A semi-prone position is a left lateral position with an anterior inclination of 45 degrees. Intraoperative parameters including conversion rate, immediate postoperative outcomes, and long-term oncological outcomes were analyzed. Statistical Analysis Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 19 (IBM SPSS, IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States) was utilized for analysis. Survival analysis was done using Kaplan-Meier graph. Quantitative data were described as mean or median with standard deviation, and qualitative data were described as frequency distribution tables. Results Consecutive 224 patients with good performance status were included. After excluding those who required conversion (14 [6.6%]), 210 patients were further analyzed. Median age was 60 years (range: 27–80 years). Neoadjuvant treatment recipients were 160 (76%) patients. Most common presentation was squamous cell carcinoma (146 [70%]) of lower third esophagus (140 [67%]) of stage III (126 [60%]). Median blood loss for thoracoscopic dissection and for total operation was 101.5 mL (range: 30–180 mL) and 286 mL (range: 93–480 mL), respectively. Median operative time for thoracoscopic dissection alone was 67 minutes (range: 34–98 minutes) and for entire procedure was 215 minutes (range: 162–268 minutes). There was no intraoperative mortality. Median 16 lymph nodes were dissected (range: 5–32). Postoperative complication rate and mortality was 50% and 3.3%, respectively. Disease-free interval was 18 months (range: 3–108 months) and overall survival was 22 months (range: 6–108 months). Conclusion MIE with mediastinal lymphadenectomy in a semi-prone position is feasible, convenient, oncologically safe, which can combine the benefits of the two conventional approaches. Further prospective and comparative studies are required to support our findings.