Advantages of an Anterior-Based Muscle-Sparing Approach in Transitioning From a Posterior Approach for Total Hip Arthroplasty: Minimizing the Learning Curve

BackgroundEnthusiasm for anterior-based approaches for total hip arthroplasty (THA) continues to increase but there is concern for increased complications during the learning curve period associated. This study aimed to investigate if there was a difference in perioperative variables, intraoperative and immediate postoperative complications, or patient-reported outcomes when transitioning from a mini-posterior approach (mPA) to an anterior-based muscle-sparing (ABMS) approach for THA.MethodsRetrospective cohort study on the first 100 primary THA cases (n = 96 patients) of the senior author (August 2016 to August 2017) using the ABMS approach. These cases were compared to primary THA cases done the year prior (July 2015 to July 2016, n = 91 cases in 89 patients) using an mPA. Data were extracted and analyzed via gamma regression with robust standard errors and using generalized estimating equation regression.ResultsWe found no difference in the estimated blood loss (P = .452) and surgical time (P = .564) between the cohorts. The ABMS cases had a slightly shorter length of stay (P = .001) with an adjusted mean length of stay of 1.53 days (95% confidence interval 1.4-1.6) compared to 1.85 days (95% confidence interval 1.8-1.9) in the mPA cases. There was no difference in the frequency of immediate postoperative complications (all, P > .05). There was no difference in the adjusted mean change in patient-reported outcomes (all P > .05). In the ABMS group, there was no difference in surgical time or physical function computerized adaptive test between the first 20 cases (reference) and each subsequent group of 20 cases (all P > .05).ConclusionThis study demonstrates no associated learning curve for an experienced senior surgeon when switching routine THA approach from mPA to ABMS. We advise careful interpretation of our results, as they may not apply to all surgeons and practices.Level of EvidenceLevel III Therapeutic Study: retrospective comparative study.     

A systems approach to forensic science applied in the military domain

Forensic science is undertaken in support of law enforcement investigations, criminal justice prosecutions, intelligence, and military objectives. There are different forensic operating models to meet these various objectives and no unified approach to forensic science has been described. There are common challenges in the military domain, which impacts the delivery of forensic science, including: different terminology between organizations, complex operating environments, operating siloes, inward-looking military structures, quality management, and resource constraints. One solution to these challenges is to apply modern organizational theory to military-focused forensic science. Organizational theory is the study of organizations in a structural sense, including objectives, people, structure and management. The modern organizational theory systems approach describes how organizations should be viewed as systems within larger systems. In the work presented in this paper, a systems approach has been applied, for the first time, to military forensic exploitation to address the common issues faced by military organizations. The advantages of applying a systems approach to military forensic exploitation are that it is applicable across forensic science organizations, it is flexible and scalable to meet the changing external environment, and it articulates the redundancies in the system to help address system failures.     

Enhancing the knowledge and skills of smallholders to adopt market-oriented tree management practices: lessons from Master TreeGrower training courses in Indonesia

ABSTRACT

Growing trees on farmland continues to be a promising land-use option for smallholders in Indonesia as they look to diversify their enterprises beyond the main agricultural sector. While most smallholders integrate trees into their farming systems, selling timber and other tree products has usually been infrequent and opportunistic. Because of this infrequent trade, most smallholders rarely adopt silvicultural practices that would increase the commercial value of their trees. A research project trialled an alternative approach to forestry extension in Indonesia, known as the Master TreeGrower (MTG) training course. The MTG training courses used a farmer-centred approach to teach smallholders about forest science and took participants to market hubs so they could better understand how different forest products were valued by traders. The MTG training approach was trialled in 2014 in five districts in Indonesia and involved 118 smallholders and 27 non-farmers as course participants. This article reports on a recent evaluation of the MTG training courses held about three years earlier to explore the enduring impacts of the training approach and whether it can be scaled-out to other areas of Indonesia. The evaluation data were collected via focus group discussions (FGDs), in-depth interviews, household surveys and observations at three project sites: Pati (Central Java), Gunungkidul (Yogyakarta) and Bulukumba (South Sulawesi). A questionnaire was distributed among the participants of the FGDs to assess the extent different knowledge and skills of tree management that had been adopted by them following the MTG courses. The evaluation of the MTG approach revealed that the courses were effective in increasing smallholders’ knowledge of commercial forestry and their silvicultural skills. Many participants were more active with silviculture and planned to invest further in commercial forestry following the MTG training. In effect, the MTG training appeared to change the hearts and minds of the farmers about how commercial forestry could enhance their livelihoods.     

肝门入路治疗肝门部胆管狭窄的价值与评价

肝门部胆管狭窄通常分为恶性狭窄和良性狭窄。如何有效处理肝门部胆管狭窄一直是胆道外科中的重点与难点。由于其涉及胆管系统、肝动脉系统、门静脉系统以及肝脏实质等，因此，对手术路径的选择至关重要。基于围肝门技术的肝门入路术式，能更好的显露肝门区各管道的解剖，并行精准处理，从而有效提高肝门部胆管癌的手术根治率，降低胆管狭窄的手术难度及手术风险。     

The case for a medication first approach to the treatment of opioid use disorder

Background: The opioid addiction and overdose crisis continues to ravage communities across the U.S. Maintenance pharmacotherapy using buprenorphine or methadone is the most effective intervention for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), yet few have immediate and sustained access to these medications. Objectives: To address lack of medication access for people with OUD, the Missouri Department of Mental Health began implementing a Medication First (Med First) treatment approach in its publicly-funded system of comprehensive substance use disorder treatment programs. Methods: This Perspective describes the four principles of Med First, which are based on evidence-based guidelines. It draws conceptual comparisons between the Housing First approach to chronic homelessness and the Med First approach to pharmacotherapy for OUD, and compares state certification standards for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment (the traditional approach) to Med First guidelines for OUD treatment. Finally, the Perspective details how Med First principles have been practically implemented. Results: Med First principles emphasize timely access to maintenance pharmacotherapy without requiring psychosocial services or discontinuation for any reason other than harm to the client. Early results regarding medication utilization and treatment retention are promising. Feedback from providers has been largely favorable, though clinical- and system-level obstacles to effective OUD treatment remain. Conclusion: Like the Housing First model, Medication First is designed to decrease human suffering and activate the strengths and capacities of people in need. It draws on decades of research and facilitates partnerships between psychosocial and medical treatment providers to offer effective and life-saving care to persons with OUD.     

改良Miccoli腔镜辅助下手术和经乳晕入路单孔法内镜下治疗甲状腺良性肿瘤效果观察

目的探讨改良Miccoli腔镜辅助下手术和经乳晕入路单孔法内镜下治疗甲状腺良性肿瘤的效果。方法对2015年8月～2017年3月我院60例甲状腺良性肿瘤患者进行筛选,依据患者意愿及要求选择手术治疗方式,对改良Miccoli组(30例)与经乳晕单孔组(30例)围术期机体创伤指标、手术指标、术后切口美容效果、术后疼痛指标等展开对比。结果两组创伤相关指标在术前均无差异(P0.05),术后WBC、TSH测验水平均上升,血钙、PTH测验水平下降,且改良Miccoli组波动幅度相较经乳晕单孔组更为轻微,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。改良Miccoli组手术切口大小、术中出血量、术后引流总量、手术时间、住院时间指标统计均较经乳晕单孔组显著下降(P0.05),住院费用远高于经乳晕单孔组(P0.05)。改良Miccoli组患者颈部活动恢复时间相较经乳晕单孔组明显缩短,术后6 h、12 h及24 h疼痛值低于经乳晕单孔组(P0.05)。对术后1周、1个月及1年切口的美容效果比较,改良Miccoli组均较经乳晕单孔组评分高(P0.05)。改良Miccoli组并发症总发生率(10%)低于经乳晕单孔组(20%),差异有统计学意义(P0.05);总满意度(93.33%)高于经乳晕单孔组(86.67%),但差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论对甲状腺良性肿瘤患者予以改良Miccoli腔镜辅助手术及经乳晕入路单孔法内镜治疗,均可取得满意效果,但相对而言,前者对患者机体所造成的创伤应激更小,但费用更高,且后者手术切口位于隐秘部位,颈部无创,故临床在选择术式可充分考虑患者意愿,取更适宜术式。     

快速康复外科护理在经鼻蝶入路垂体瘤切除术围术期护理中的效果分析

目的 探讨快速康复外科护理在经鼻蝶入路垂体瘤切除术围术期护理中应用效果。方法 选择我院2016年3月～2019年3月收治的经鼻碟入路垂体切除术患者中50例作为研究对象,按照随机数字表法分为对照组(n=25)与研究组(n=25),对照组患者给予常规围手术期护理,研究组患者在此基础上实施快速康复外科护理,比较两组手术相关指标、护理不良事件及护理满意度。结果 两组术中出血量及手术时间比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);研究组患者的入住监护室时间、术后住院时间、不良事件总发生率、护理总满意度均优于对照组(P0.05)。结论 对经鼻碟入路垂体瘤切除术患者予围手术期快速康复外科护理,能够有效降低护理不良事件发生率,缩短患者住院时间,提高患者护理满意度,值得临床推广应用。