Pediatric button battery ingestion: A single center experience and risk score to predict severe outcomes

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to analyze the management and outcomes of primary button battery ingestions and their sequelae at a single high-volume center, and to propose a risk score to predict the likelihood of a severe outcome.MethodsThe medical record was queried for all patients under 21 years old evaluated at our institution for button battery ingestion from 2008 to 2021. A severe outcome was defined as having at least one of the following: deep/circumferential mucosal erosion, perforation, mediastinitis, vascular or airway injury/fistula, or development of esophageal stricture. From a selection of clinically relevant factors, logistic regression determined predictors of a severe outcome, which were incorporated into a risk model.Results143 patients evaluated for button battery ingestion were analyzed. 24 (17%) had a severe outcome. The independent predictors of a severe outcome in multivariate analysis were location of battery in the esophagus on imaging (96%), battery size >/ = 2 cm (95%), and presence of any symptoms on presentation (96%), with P < 0.001 in all cases. Predicted probability of a severe outcome ranged from 88% when all three risk factors were observed, to 0.3% when none were present.ConclusionWe report the presentation, management, and complication profiles of a large cohort of BB ingestions treated at a single institution. A risk score to predict severe outcomes may be used by providers initially evaluating patients with button battery ingestion in order to allocate resources and expedite transfer to a center with pediatric endoscopic and surgical capabilities.Level of evidenceLevel IV.Type of studyClinical Research Paper.     

Foreign body granuloma around implantable pulse generator for deep brain stimulation: Two case reports

We report two cases of granuloma that occurred around an implantable pulse generator (IPG) for deep brain stimulation. Both cases showed no signs of infection and disappeared after moving the IPG and removing the granulation. If a noninfectious mass is formed, the relocation of IPG may improve it.     

Preoperative Patient Education Class During an Orthopedic Mission Trip: Effects on Knowledge,Anxiety, and Informed Consent

BackgroundPatient knowledge about arthritis and risks, benefits, and outcomes of joint arthroplasty in developing countries is unknown. We evaluated the effectiveness of a preoperative class on improving knowledge and decreasing anxiety during a surgical mission trip offering total joint arthroplasty.MethodsA team of US health care providers taught a preoperative class to 41 patients selected for total joint arthroplasty during a surgical mission trip to Guyana. Participants completed a 32-point survey about arthritis; indications, risks, and benefits of joint arthroplasty; and postoperative, in-patient rehabilitation expectations. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was used to measure participant anxiety. Participants completed identical surveys before and after class. Matched-pairs Student t tests were used to compare means between preclass and postclass surveys. Significance was accepted at P < .05.ResultsSeventy-eight percent of patients (31 of 41) scored less than 12 of 32 possible points (40%) on the preclass knowledge questionnaire. Mean ± standard deviation knowledge scores improved from 14.0 ± 4.5 before the class to 16.5 ± 6.5 after the class (P = .008). Anxiety scores (n = 33) improved from 35 ± 13 before the class to 33 ± 12 after the class (P = .047).ConclusionOn this surgical mission trip, underserved patients' knowledge about total joint arthroplasty increased only modestly after taking a preoperative class. Greater understanding of how to educate patients and reduce their anxiety on medical missions is needed.     

Infections and foreign bodies in ENT

Infections of the ear, nose and throat are common. The majority of these infections are managed by the primary care physicians and they settle with conservative and medical management. However, a small group can progress to become troublesome and develop complications to the extent that they may require surgical intervention. Some of the infections can lead to life-threatening complications, therefore awareness and correct diagnosis along with appropriate management is paramount. Foreign bodies in the ear, nose and throat are commonly encountered. The location and type of foreign body can have an implication on the urgency of action and the possible complications. In this article the common ENT infections and foreign bodies and their management are discussed.     

Surviving a stroke in South Africa: outcomes of home-based care in a low-resource rural setting

Background: Little is known of stroke outcomes in low- and middle-income countries with limited formal stroke rehabilitation services and of homebased-stroke services delivered within the primary health care (PHC) context by community health workers (CHWs).

Objectives: To describe and analyze the outcomes of patients with stroke from a rural PHC setting in the Western Cape, South Africa.

Methods: In a longitudinal survey, 93 stroke patients, referred to home and community-based care services (HCBC) between June 2015 and December 2017, were assessed at baseline, one month and three months. Changes in function (Barthel Index (BI)), caregiver strain (Caregiver Strain Index (CSI)), impact of environmental factors and satisfaction with stroke care were measured.

Results: HCBC was delayed, fragmented and brief (median session duration 20 minutes (IQR 15.0–30.0)). Although function improved significantly, dependence remained high: median BI score changed from 40.0 (IQR 15.0–70.0) to 62.5 (IQR 30.0–81.25) (p = .019). A third (33.0% (30/91)) of caregivers initially experienced strain and the median CSI score remained 3.0 (IQR 0.0–7.0) (p = .672). Overall, patient and caregiver satisfaction with HCBC was low with only 46.9% (31/66) of caregivers and 17.4% (12/69) of patients satisfied with all aspects of care. Only 47.6% of assistive product needs were met. Environmental factors negatively impacted on patient function and caregiving.

Conclusions: Clinical practice pathways and referral guidelines should be developed for the HCBC platform. Specific training of CHWs, focusing on how to educate, support and train family caregivers, provide assistive devices and refer to health services is needed.     

留学生临床教学中存在问题及应对策略的探究分析*

目的: 探索留学生临床实习阶段教学中存在的不足之处,寻找行之有效的改进策略。方法: 采用内容分析法,选取10名临床实习的留学生进行半结构访谈,对访谈资料整理汇总提取关键信息,并分析蕴涵的问题,以期寻求最佳的解决路径。结果: 被访留学生表示,目前存在临床上沟通能力弱,操作机会较少,岗位胜任力有待提高等问题。这需要院校联合培养,增强动手能力,提高岗位胜任力。结论: 留学生的培养体系中应增加实践课的课时和比例,同时临床实习中应为他们提供足够的操作机会,包括模拟操作和实际操作。这就需要以政策为上层保障,以院校为主体,以岗位胜任力为出发点,以能力塑造为目标的多方联动、相互认可的培养模式,促进医教协同,提升留学生人才培养成效。     

To spray or not to spray? Understanding participation in an indoor residual spray campaign in Arequipa,Peru

Current low participation rates in vector control programmes in Arequipa, Peru complicate the control of Chagas disease. Using focus groups (n?=?17 participants) and semi-structured interviews (n?=?71) conducted in March and May 2013, respectively, we examined barriers to and motivators of household participation in an indoor residual spray (IRS) campaign that had taken place one year prior in Arequipa. The most common reported barriers to participation were inconvenient spray times due to work obligations, not considering the campaign to be necessary, concerns about secondary health impacts (e.g. allergic reactions to insecticides), and difficulties preparing the home for spraying (e.g. moving heavy furniture). There was also a low perception of risk for contracting Chagas disease that might affect participation. The main motivator to participate was to ensure personal health and well-being. Future IRS campaigns should incorporate more flexible hours, including weekends; provide appropriate educational messages to counter concerns about secondary health effects; incorporate peer educators to increase perceived risk to Chagas in community; obtain support from community members and leaders to build community trust and support for the campaign; and assist individuals in preparing their homes. Enhancing community trust in both the need for the campaign and its operations is key.