Training and teaching of vagus nerve stimulation surgery: Worldwide survey and future perspectives

ObjectiveVagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy has been used for more than two decades to treat drug resistant epilepsy and depression and most recently received FDA approval for stroke rehabilitation. Expanding indications will renew the interest in the technique and increase the number of surgeons to be trained. The aim of this study was to survey surgeons with substantial expertise on optimal teaching and training approaches.MethodsAnonymous forms comprising 16 questions were sent by e-mail to surgeons with substantial expertise. Statistical analyses were used to compare the answers of the most experienced surgeons (>5 years) with the less experienced ones (<5 years).ResultsFully-completed forms were collected from 57 experts from 20 countries. The placement of the helical coils was deemed to be the most difficult step by 36 (63.2%) experts, and the use of optical magnification during this step was deemed necessary by 39 (68.4%) experts. Vocal cord palsy should be largely avoidable with proper surgical technique according to 44 (77.2%) experts. The teaching tool considered the most useful was mentoring (38, 66.7%). The future of VNS surgery teaching was deemed to be in anatomical workshops (29, 50.9%) and surgical simulation (26, 45.6%). Overall, answers did not vary significantly according to experience.ConclusionsVNS surgery should be mastered by actively participating in dedicated practical training courses and by individual mentoring during actual surgery, which is still the best way to learn. This study highlights the need for a formal training course and possible specific accreditation.     

The American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) 2022 Expert Consensus Document: The use of mechanical circulatory support in lung transplantation

ObjectiveThe use of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) in lung transplantation has been steadily increasing over the prior decade, with evolving strategies for incorporating support in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative settings. There is significant practice variability in the use of these techniques, however, and relatively limited data to help establish institutional protocols. The objective of the AATS Clinical Practice Standards Committee (CPSC) expert panel was to review the existing literature and establish recommendations about the use of MCS before, during, and after lung transplantation.MethodsThe AATS CPSC assembled an expert panel of 16 lung transplantation physicians who developed a consensus document of recommendations. The panel was broken into subgroups focused on preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative support, and each subgroup performed a focused literature review. These subgroups formulated recommendation statements for each subtopic, which were evaluated by the entire group. The statements were then developed via discussion among the panel and refined until consensus was achieved on each statement.ResultsThe expert panel achieved consensus on 36 recommendations for how and when to use MCS in lung transplantation. These recommendations included the use of veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a bridging strategy in the preoperative setting, a preference for central veno-arterial ECMO over traditional cardiopulmonary bypass during the transplantation procedure, and the benefit of supporting selected patients with MCS postoperatively.ConclusionsAchieving optimal results in lung transplantation requires the use of a wide range of strategies. MCS provides an important mechanism for helping these critically ill patients through the peritransplantation period. Despite the complex nature of the decision making process in the treatment of these patients, the expert panel was able to achieve consensus on 36 recommendations. These recommendations should provide guidance for professionals involved in the care of end-stage lung disease patients considered for transplantation.     

红外光谱数据融合对栽培滇重楼产地鉴别*

目的 多样的环境因素使得不同产地栽培滇重楼的化学成分也丰富多样，不同居群栽培滇重楼的甾体皂苷类成分具有很大的差异，多源数据融合分析能更全面的表征药材化学信息，建立一个高效而准确的产地鉴别模型，为其资源合理开发利用提供依据。方法 以来自云南和四川的8个产地（保山、楚雄、大理、红河、丽江、成都、文山、玉溪）共366份栽培滇重楼根茎为实验材料，采集其傅里叶变换近红外光谱（FT-NIR）和衰减全反射-傅里叶变换中红外光谱（ATR-FTMIR）数据。采用Kennard-Stone算法将不同产地的样品分为2/3的训练集和1/3的预测集，基于4种特征变量提取方法（CARS、VIP、SPA、SO-Covsel）结合2种数据融合策略（低级数据融合和中级数据融合），建立偏最小二乘产地判别分析模型。根据模型参数交叉验证均方根误差（RMSECV）和预测均方根误差（RMSEP）评估模型的稳定性，模型训练集和预测集准确率（ACC）评估模型分类性能。结果 近红外光谱和中红外光谱均能反应不同产地栽培滇重楼的化学成分差异，在中级数据融合中，基于VIP和SPA提取的特征变量建立的模型正确率均大于94%。相较于中级数据融合，低级数据融合模型得到了最为满意的结果，其预测集分类正确率达到100%。结论 根据近红外和中红外数据建立的低级数据融合PLS-DA模型，能够用于栽培滇重楼的产地鉴别分析。     

多元化联合教学模式在超声引导下疼痛介入治疗中的应用

目的探讨多元化联合教学模式在超声引导下疼痛介入治疗教学中的应用效果。方法选择2018年1月至2020年12月在北京大学第三医院疼痛科进修的30名医师作为研究对象,将其分为对照组与观察组;对照组采用常规教学模式;观察组采用多元化联合教学模式,比较两组医师技能考核成绩、教学质量评分和满意度评分。结果观察组医师技能考核成绩优良率为93.3%,高于对照组的73.3%(P<0.05);观察组医师对基础理论知识掌握、临床思维能力的提高、学习兴趣的激发、疾病诊治能力的提高4个方面的评分均高于对照组(P<0.01)。结论多元化联合教学模式可促进超声引导下疼痛介入治疗技能的提高,有利于提高学员的综合临床能力。     

Understanding congenital vertical talus

Congenital vertical talus (CVT) is a rare foot deformity that presents with a rigid flat foot at birth. CVT can present as an isolated abnormality in the newborn, however in at least 50% of cases in association with other conditions. Full neuro-axial imaging is essential to detect any associated neurologic problems. Radiographs of the foot, including forced plantar and dorsiflexion laterals, are diagnostic. Gold standard modern treatment uses the Dobbs method of serial manipulation and casting with minimally-invasive stabilization of the talonavicular joint and Achilles tendon tenotomy.     

Practice developments supporting change implementation in Wellington,New Zealand (NZ) for ‘continuity of care when transitioning complex preterm infants from NICU to home’

The discussion paper will focus on continuity of care relating to previous NZ research, specifically to transitioning complex preterm infants from NICU to home based on parent experiences, and on the practice developments that have occurred, to ensure optimal health outcomes. Previous NZ research discovered parent desire a consistent service delivery for the entire transition journey from NICU and at home.An informative and comprehensive opportunity has occurred for reflective professional practice, evaluation, development and implementation which have transpired in positive change through innovative practice developments and support change implementation in Wellington, NZ. This has resulted in the articulation of a model of care that has both embraced and integrated parental desires for a continuity of care process for complex preterm infants. This has been achieved by having the same Discharge Facilitator/Key Case Manager present within the NICU and external to the NICU for Home-based infants for the entire transition journey.The paper will focus and emphasis additional practice development changes and furthermore, will present a real purpose, for other countries to learn of such practice developments that have exemplified a celebratory success for families of Wellington, NZ.     

中国中医药资源配置水平及影响因素探讨＊

目的 分析2013-2019年中国31省市中医药资源配置水平及区域差异，探讨影响资源配置水平的主要因素，为优化中国中医药资源配置提供依据。方法 选取具有代表性的每万人口中医药机构数、每万人口中医药技术人员以及每万人口中医药床位数作为中医药资源配置水平的指标，利用统计年鉴2013-2019年的面板数据，综合运用熵权法、可分解的泰尔指数以及面板时间固定效应模型，分析各省份中医药资源配置水平及区域公平性差异和影响因素。结果 中国中医药资源配置水平均值为0.165，整体呈现递增趋势，不同省份间配置水平有差异；按人口配置的总体泰尔指数优于按面积配置的指数；公平性差异主要来自于四大经济区区域内差异；经济发展水平、城镇化水平和财政自主度是影响中医药资源配置的主要因素（P<0.05）。结论 中医药资源配置整体水平呈增长趋势，资源配置的公平性有待于进一步提高，应重点关注区域内的不公平性。经济发展水平、城镇化水平和财政自主度是影响中医药资源配置水平的主要因素，建议各地区根据当地不同现状精准施策。