三镜联合治疗胆总管结石患者基于决策辅助的术前教育

目的探讨基于决策辅助的术前教育在三镜联合治疗胆囊并胆总管结石患者加速康复外科中的应用效果。方法选取行三镜联合治疗胆囊并胆总管结石患者60例,采用随机数字表法将患者分成干预组和对照组各30例。对照组采取常规术前教育,干预组采取基于决策辅助的术前教育。结果干预结束时,干预组决策参与满意度得分和术后治疗依从性得分显著高于对照组,干预组术后首次排气时间、引流时间和住院时间显著短于对照组(P0.05,P0.01)。结论基于决策辅助的术前教育有助于提高三镜联合治疗胆囊并胆总管结石患者的决策参与满意度、术后治疗依从性,有利于促进患者术后恢复。     

Influence of an Audiovisual Resource on the Preoperative Anxiety of Adult Endodontic Patients: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

IntroductionThe expectation of undergoing endodontic treatment can cause anxiety in patients. Anxiety is described as a transient emotional state closely related to pain, fear, and imbalance of the organism. The clinician commonly must use some type of tool to alleviate the patient’s preoperative anxiety before treatment can be applied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of an audiovisual resource on the preoperative anxiety of adult patients undergoing endodontic treatment.MethodsOne hundred sixty endodontic patients were randomly divided into experimental and control groups (n = 80) and then assessed at 2 preoperative time points separated by a 10-minute interval. After the first assessment, the patients in the experimental group watched a video of their own choice obtained from the Internet to provide them with a relaxing experience. In both groups and at both time points, the assessments consisted of collecting the patients’ vital signs (diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure, and heart rate) and data regarding their subjective perception of anxiety using a visual analog scale.ResultsThere were no significant differences between the groups regarding the vital sign variation observed between the 2 assessment time points. However, the variation in the scores obtained on the visual analog scale was significantly greater in the experimental group (P < .05), indicating a greater reduction in the level of preoperative anxiety in this group.ConclusionsThe preoperative use of an audiovisual resource was associated with a decrease in the perception of anxiety by patients undergoing endodontic treatment.     

Audiological and subjective outcomes of 100 implanted transcutaneous bone conduction devices and preoperative bone conduction hearing aids in patients with bilateral microtia-atresia

Abstract

Background: Bonebridge (BB) and bone conduction hearing aid (BCHA) are effective in patients with bilateral congenital microtia-atresia (CMA).

Objectives: To investigate and compare the outcomes of these devices in a large sample size.

Materials and methods: This single center prospective study involved 100 patients with bilateral CMA who were implanted with BBs and used BCHAs before implantation. Sound field threshold (SFT), speech reception thresholds (SRTs) and word recognition scores (WRSs) were compared between unaided, BCHA used and implanted patients. The Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) was used to evaluate subjective satisfaction.

Results: Compared to unaided condition, the SFT, WRS and SRT of BCHA and BB were significantly improved. With BCHA or BB, the three subscale scores of the APHAB (ease of communication, background noise and reverberation) significantly reduced. However, the aversiveness subscale scored significantly higher than unaided condition. All outcomes were better in BB condition than BCHA.

Conclusions: BB or BCHA use can be considered as effective methods to improve audiological outcomes and subjective satisfaction. Although not as good as BB, BCHA use is critical for improving hearing in the early period of language and auditory pathway development before the skull is suitable for BB implantation.     

Microscopia confocal ex vivo con método de fusión y tinción digital: cambiando paradigmas en el diagnóstico histológico

The ex vivo confocal microscope is an imaging system designed to analyze freshly excised tissue using two diode lasers with different wavelengths. The technique can dramatically reduce margin analysis times and offers a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 89% relative to histopathology. A new technology has recently been developed that produces images more quickly and with a higher resolution than before. By means of a fusion mode that combines simultaneously scanned fluorescence and reflectance images, it produces digitally stained images that simulate the effect of hematoxylin-eosin staining. Application of this new technology has opened the door to real-time tissue diagnostics.     

An investigation of the effects of walking frame height and width on walking stability

BackgroundWalking aids are designed for structural support during walking, however, surprisingly self-reported use of a walking aid (“Yes, I use one.”) has been identified as a risk factor for falling. Adjustment and design of walking aids may affect their usefulness in facilitating a stable walking pattern. We previously identified that increased body weight transfer onto a walking frame (‘device loading’) is associated with increased user stability.Research questionWe asked: “Could adjustment of walking frame height to a lower height than clinically recommended serve as a mechanism to facilitate device loading and thereby increase stability? And: “Do ultra-narrow frames have an adverse effect on stability as compared to standard-width frames?MethodsTen older adults that were users of front-wheeled walking frames walked with walking frames of 1) ‘standard width, standard height’, 2)‘standard width, low height’, 3)‘narrow width, standard height’. Smart Walker technology was used to record forces acting on the walking frame and inside the user’s shoes, and cameras recorded relative position of the user’s feet in relation to the frame’s feet. Stability of the user-frame system and device loading (percent body weight transferred onto the frame) were calculated. A general linear mixed effects model was used for statistical analysis.ResultsA lower height setting did not increase device loading and stability, therefore adjusting the height to a lower setting proved to be an unsuccessful mechanism to increase stability. However, device loading was positively correlated with stability for all frame conditions (p < 0.05). Finally, stability was reduced when walking with the ultra-narrow, as compared to standard-width, frame (p = 0.002).SignificanceTo increase stability in fall-prone users, active encouragement to transfer body weight onto the walking frame is needed. Considering the adverse effects of ultra-narrow frames on stability, such frames should be prescribed and used with caution.     

Surgical management of pelvic organ prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse is a common condition which can have a profound effect on health-related quality of life. The lifetime risk of surgery for pelvic organ prolapse for all women is around 10–12%, making prolapse surgery one of the most commonly performed operations of all. Surgery is generally offered only to women to do not respond to conservative measures such as physiotherapy and/or vaginal pessaries. It is very important to ensure excellent clinical governance around the decision-making process for this elective surgical problem, and this may include the use of written information, face to face and telephone consultations, patient reported outcome measures and patient decision aids. This chapter will cover all the different techniques for prolapse surgery including conventional approaches using native tissue, uterus conserving prolapse surgery and surgery for post-hysterectomy vault prolapse. This will also include laparoscopic prolapse surgery. The role of mesh in prolapse surgery will also be discussed and this chapter will cover important topics including patient selection and preparation for prolapse surgery, shared decision making and how best to facilitate this, patient preparation before prolapse surgery and follow-up post operation.     

A scoping review of the use of visual aids in health education materials for persons with low-literacy levels

ObjectiveTo conduct a scoping review on the literature on visual aids in health education for persons with low-literacy.MethodsA scoping review methodology was employed. Pre-defined selection criteria identified 47 studies for inclusion. Data were extracted in relation to: (a) definitions of low-literacy and health literacy, (b) population studied, (c) research country, (d) consent procedures, (e) visual aids used, (f) development of visual aids, and (g) targeted outcomes.ResultsVisual aids developed with persons with low-literacy demonstrated statistically significant improvements in health literacy outcomes, with benefits in medication adherence and comprehension also reported. Pictograms and videos were the most effective visual aids. Only one study adapted consent procedures for low-literacy participants.DiscussionVisual aids in health education materials may benefit persons with low-literacy levels, but large gaps in the research base are evident. Experimental research in low- and middle-income countries, with a particular focus on consent for participants with low-literacy is needed.Practice implicationsVisual aid design needs to include stakeholders. Consent procedures and decision-making need to be specifically adapted for participants with low-literacy.