How to stich? 90 degrees: The perfect angle

ObjectiveThis is a discussion about correct suturing techniques and implications that follow inappropriate suturing. We deconstruct the suturing needle angles and methods to be adopted to acquire the perfect needle angle to the tissue being sutured. A study of angles confirms that 90° is perceptible to the naked eye and easy to identify, making it an appropriate foundation to explain, communicate and teach the concepts in the wet-lab and the operating room.BackgroundThere is a lack of robust teaching regarding entry of the needle orthogonal to the tissue planes. In addition, objective methods of assessing angles of the needle relative to the tissue and consequences of inaccuracy are lacking. The authors aim to deconstruct the steps of suturing with the aim of demonstrating ninety degrees is the perfect suturing angle.Study designWe conducted a study to identify 90° (the perfect suturing angle) as an angle easy to identify with the naked eye. Angles from 86° to 94° and 41° to 49° were printed and presented to volunteers with the instruction to identify the angles of 90° and 45°.ResultsFifty-one volunteers replied to the 90° angle study and sixty-five volunteers replied to the 45° study. 92% correctly identified at least one 90° angle and 72% identified both the 90° angles. 63% identified at least one 45° angle and only 27% identified both the 45° angles presented to them. This supported our hypothesis that 90° is an angle that is readily identifiable to the human eye.ConclusionsObjective assessment of surgical skills and training should focus on the basic needle skills with particular emphasis on suturing angles, progressing to higher skills using low and intermediate fidelity models and correlating practice alongside the trainees' operative progress.     

Altitude exposure as a training & iron overload management strategy post leukemia

ObjectivesTo examine iron stores, hemoglobin mass, and performance before, during and after intermittent altitude exposure in a professional male rugby player experiencing iron overload following blood transfusions for treatment for acute myeloid leukemia.DesignLongitudinal, repeated measures, single case-study.MethodsThe player was followed prior to (control), and during (study), an in-season block of altitude training. During the control period two venesections were performed for a total of 750 mL of blood removal. Internal and external training load, match statistics, blood volume, plasma volume, haemoglobin mass, serum ferritin and reticulocyte count were monitored throughout.ResultsDuring the control period serum ferritin declined following the two venesections (∼51%) as did haemoglobin mass (∼2%), reticulocyte count remained stable. During the study period serum ferritin further declined (∼30%), however haemoglobin mass and reticulocyte count increased (∼4% and ∼14% respectively). Internal training load for the control and study period was similar, however external training load was lower in the study period. Match statistics were not favourable for the player during the control period, however they improved during the study period.ConclusionsThis case supports the theory that individuals with elevated iron availability are well placed to achieve increases in haemoglobin mass. Furthermore, although therapeutic venesections may still be required to manage iron overload, the addition of altitude exposure may be a method to assist in reducing total body iron by means of mobilising available (excessive) iron to incorporate into haemoglobin. Altitude exposure did not hinder the players’ performance. Further research is encouraged.     

Surgeons’ Preoperative Work Burden Has Increased Before Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Survey of AAHKS Members

BackgroundImplementation of rapid recovery protocols and value-based programs in total joint arthroplasty (TJA) has required changes in preoperative management, such as optimization, education, and coordination. This study aimed to quantify the work burden associated with preoperative TJA care.MethodsTwo web-based surveys were distributed to surgeon members of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. The first questionnaire (265 respondents) consisted of questions related to preoperative patient care in TJA and the associated work burden by orthopedic surgeons and their financially dependent health care providers. The second survey (561 respondents) consisted of questions related to relative change in preoperative patient care work burden since 2013.ResultsGreater than 98% of survey respondents reported providing some level of preoperative medical optimization to their patients. The mean amount of reported time spent by the surgeon and/or a qualified health care provider in preoperative activities not included in work captured in current procedural terminology or hospital billing codes was 153 minutes. The mean amount of reported time spent by ancillary clinical staff in preoperative activities was 177 minutes. Most surgeons reported an increase in work burden for total knee (86%) and total hip (87%) arthroplasty since 2013, with a large portion reporting a 20% or greater increase in work (knee 66%, hip 64%).ConclusionTo provide quality arthroplasty care with marked reductions in complication rates, lengths of stay, and readmissions, members of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons report a substantial preoperative work burden that is not included in current coding metrics. Policy makers should account for this time in coding models to continue to promote pathway improvements.     

Two-Stage Exchange Arthroplasty for Periprosthetic Joint Infection Following Total Hip or Knee Arthroplasty Is Associated With High Attrition Rate and Mortality

BackgroundWe sought to determine the ultimate fate of patients undergoing resection arthroplasty as a first stage in the process of 2-stage exchange and evaluate risk factors for modes of failure.MethodsA retrospective case study was performed including all patients with minimum 2-year follow-up who underwent first-stage resection of a hip or knee periprosthetic joint infection from 2008 to 2015. Patient demographics, laboratory, and health status variables were collected. The primary outcome analyzed was defined as failure to achieve an infection-free 2-stage revision. Univariate pairwise comparison followed by multivariate regression analysis was used to determine risk factors for failure outcomes.ResultsEighty-nine patients underwent resection arthroplasty in a planned 2-stage exchange protocol (27 hips, 62 knees). Mean age was 64 years (range, 43-84), 56.2% were males, and mean follow-up was 56.3 months. Also, 68.5% (61/89) of patients underwent second-stage revision. Of the 61 patients who complete a 2-stage protocol, 14.8% (9/61) of patients failed with diagnosis of repeat or recurrent infection. Mortality rate was 23.6%. Multivariate analysis identified risk factors for failure to achieve an infection-free 2-stage revision as polymicrobial infection (P < .004; adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 7.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1-29.0), McPherson extremity grade 3 (P < .024; AOR, 4.1; 95% CI, 1.2-14.3), and history of prior resection (P < .013; AOR, 4.7; 95% CI, 1.4-16.4).ConclusionPatients undergoing resection arthroplasty for periprosthetic joint infection are at high risk of death (24%) and failure to complete the 2-stage protocol (32%). Those who complete the 2-stage protocol have a 15% rate of reinfection at 4.5-year follow-up.     

针刺结合康复训练治疗中风偏瘫不同分期患者的临床疗效研究进展

现代康复学者Bobath通过临床经验的总结指出,中风后患者肢体的运动能力的恢复一般需要经历固定的三个阶段:迟缓期;痉挛时期;相对恢复时期。根据针灸经络理论及Signe Brunnstrom提出的中风偏瘫后机体运动功能恢复的六个阶段的特殊病理过程,灵活采用针刺、放血、点穴推拿以及火针等治疗方法对不同分期的中风偏瘫患者进行治疗,疗效显著。在中风偏瘫的康复治疗过程中常常把传统的中医针刺与现代康复技术积极的结合在一起,对偏瘫患者的功能康复起到了至关重要的作用,本文将对近五年此类文章进行总结。     

Amateur endurance cycling practice and adult’s physical and psychosocial health: a cross-sectional study of the influence of training volume

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to analyse the association between amateur cycling training volume and physical and psychosocial health. A cross-sectional study was developed, via self-reported survey, among 1669 cyclists and 1039 controls, where analysis of variance and hierarchical multiple linear regression test were developed. Independent of gender, high volumes of amateur endurance cycling practice benefited cyclists’ body mass index and male cyclists’ physical conditioning, while psychosocial health did not differ among the training volume groups. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis highlighted the contribution of training volume to lower cyclists’ body mass index and better male cyclists’ physical conditioning. All cyclist groups presented better physical and psychosocial health than controls. High volumes of amateur endurance cycling training were associated with better physical health without jeopardizing psychosocial health. The practice of amateur endurance cycling, both in low and high volumes, was associated with better physical and psychosocial health compared with inactivity.     

基于虚拟现实技术的放疗CT模拟定位远程培训系统研发

目的 研发一种基于虚拟现实技术的放疗CT模拟定位的远程培训系统,探索一种医学培训的新方法。方法 使用3DMax与Maya进行3D建模,Unity3D引擎开发3D虚拟操作及交互系统;Java的SpringMvc架构作为系统后台服务,MySQL作为后台数据库系统;并将用户分为教师和学员两种角色,模式分为教学与考核模式。结果 系统功能涵盖CT模拟定位全过程,主要包括患者信息管理、CT模拟定位机认知、体位固定技术、CT定位扫描、处理突发事件等模块。自2018年投入使用以来,运行稳定,系统浏览量达14 920人次,培训通过率为86.66%。与传统培训相比,培训效率明显提升,并获得一致好评。结论 远程培训系统能有效提升学员的临床实践能力、人文关怀能力,具有良好的自主性、共享性、创新性。目前系统已上线且推广性较强,应用前景广阔。