Detection of early nephropathy in Mexican patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of early nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) attending primary care medical units and to identify risk factors for nephropathy in this population. METHOD: Seven hundred fifty-six patients with DM2 attending 3 primary care medical units were randomly selected. In a first interview, an albuminuria dipstick and a detailed clinical examination were performed, and a blood sample was obtained. If the albuminuria dipstick was positive, then a 24-hour urine collection was obtained within the next 2 weeks to quantify the albuminuria. In the blood sample, glucose, creatinine, and lipids were determined. Glomerular filtration rate was calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study equation. Demographics and medical history were recorded from clinical examination and medical charts. RESULTS: Prevalence of early nephropathy (EN) was 40%, normal function (NF) was found in 31%, and overt nephropathy (ON) in 29%. Patients with more severe kidney damage were older (NF: 54 +/- 10; EN: 60 +/- 11; ON: 63 +/- 10 years, P < 0.05) and had a higher proportion of illiteracy (NF: 11%, EN: 17%; ON: 25%, P < 0.05). The more severe the nephropathy, the longer the median duration of DM2 (NF: 6.0; EN: 7.0; ON: 11.0 years; P < 0.05); the higher the frequency of hypertension (NF: 38%; EN: 52%; ON: 68%; P < 0.05); and the higher the systolic blood pressure (NF: 126 +/- 21; EN: 130 +/- 19; ON: 135 +/- 23 mm Hg; P < 0.05). Both nephropathy groups had a significantly higher proportion of family history of nephropathy (NF: 4%; EN: 9%; ON: 13%) and a higher frequency of cardiovascular disease (NF: 5%; EN: 12%; ON: 25%), whereas only patients with ON had peripheral neuropathy (NF: 21%; EN: 22%; ON: 43%) and retinopathy (NF: 12%; EN: 18%; ON: 42%) more frequently than others. Fasting glucose was poorly controlled in all groups (NF: 186 +/- 70; EN: 173 +/- 62; ON: 183 +/- 73 mg/dL). Large body mass index (NF: 29.3 +/- 5.3; EN: 29.7 +/- 5.6; ON: 29.6 +/- 5.5 kg/m(2)), smoking (NF: 45%; EN: 43%; ON: 44%), and alcoholism (NF: 29%, EN: 29%; ON: 26%) were frequently found in this population, although there were no significant differences. In the multivariate analysis, only age, duration of DM2, and presence of retinopathy, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease were significantly associated with nephropathy. CONCLUSIONS: Two thirds of Mexican patients with DM2 attending primary health care medical units had nephropathy, 40% of whom were at an early stage of the disease. Many modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors were present in these patients, but the most significant predictors for nephropathy are older age, longer duration of diabetes, and the presence of retinopathy, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.     

Lachgasbedingte Todesfälle

Despite inspiratory oxygen fraction measurement being regulated by law in the European norm EN 740, fatal errors in nitrous oxide delivery still occur more frequently than expected, especially after construction or repair of gas connection tubes. Therefore, if nitrous oxide is to be used further in a hospital, all technical measures and system procedures should be employed to avoid future catastrophes. Among these are measurement of the inspiratory oxygen fraction (F(I)O(2)) and an automatic limitation of nitrous oxide. Also all anaesthetists involved should be informed about repair or construction of central gas supply tubes. Additionally, more awareness of this problem in daily routine is necessary. Furthermore, a system of detecting and analysing errors in anaesthesia has to be improved in each hospital as well as in the anaesthesia community as a whole. Measures for a better "error culture" could include data exchange between different critical incident reporting systems, analysis of closed claims, and integration of medical experts in examination of recent catastrophes.     

Temporary and definitive external fixation of war injuries: use of a French dedicated fixator

Purpose

External fixation is the recommended stabilization method for both open and closed fractures of long bones in forward surgical hospitals. Specific combat surgical tactics are best performed using dedicated external fixators. The Percy Fx© (Biomet) fixator was developed for this reason by the French Army Medical Service, and has been used in various theatres of operations for more than ten years.

Methods

The tactics of Percy Fx© (Biomet) fixator use were analysed in two different situations: for the treatment of French soldiers wounded on several battlefields and then evacuated to France and for the management of local nationals in forward medical treatment facilities in Afghanistan and Chad.

Results

Overall 48 externals fixators were implanted on 37 French casualties; 28 frames were temporary and converted to definitive rigid frames or internal fixation after medical evacuation. The 77 Afghan patients totalled 85 external fixators, including 13 temporary frames applied in Forward Surgical Teams (FSTs) prior to their arrival at the Kabul combat support hospital. All of the 47 Chadian patients were treated in a FST with primary definitive frames because of delayed surgical management and absence of higher level of care in Chad.

Conclusion

Temporary frames were mostly used for French soldiers to facilitate strategic air medical evacuation following trauma damage control orthopaedic principles. Definitive rigid frames permitted achieving treatment of all types of war extremity injuries, even in poor conditions.     

Optimizing the organ procurement process: organizational prerequisites and monitoring strategies in a national network

The current project sought to collect detailed information on the Italian donation system and in particular on the organization and functioning of the local coordinating centers. The final objective was to provide local and regional institutions with the information required to improve the system. While improving the knowledge of current Italian donation system, the project had constructive purposes. Our intention was to analyze how the national system is working, what the coordinating centers are actually doing, how they are organized, to what extent existing rules are obeyed, and what are the main limits of the system. This analysis sought to lead to the development of a set of proposals that can be summarized in two categories: (1) "intrinsic" actions, that is, those established and implemented at the hospital level; and (2) supporting "extrinsic" actions, that is, those identified by the National Transplant Centre and addressed to the regional and interregional coordinating networks. Finally, the analysis of the application of the existing rules should lead to the development of practice guidelines such that each center conforms to the existing regulations established by European directives.     

早期肠内营养治疗在重症急性胰腺炎中的应用

目的：观察早期肠内营养治疗重症急性胰腺炎（SAP）的安全性和疗效。方法：2008年1月-2014年1月6年期间收治的82例SAP患者按营养方式不同分为两组,每组41例,采用早期肠内营养治疗为EN组（即入院第3 d置入空肠营养管）;采用肠外营养治疗为PN组;比较2组患者的治疗效果、营养状况的改变以及住院费用,同时比较两组患者入院第3 d和第7 d血浆内毒素水平的变化以及血TNF-α变化。结果： EN组入院第7 d血浆内毒素水平及血TNF-α下降明显。PN组营养支持时间、住院天数、平均住院费用均高于EN组（P＜0.05）。结论：早期肠内营养治疗SAP能改善营养、维护肠道黏膜屏障、减轻炎症反应以及降低住院费用等。     

Non-invasive mechanical ventilation in patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema

AIM: To evaluate the use of noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) in patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema. METHODS: Design: prospective study. Setting: Emergency Department at a University hospital. Patients: 84 patients with acute respiratory distress due to pulmonary edema. Interven-tions: NIMV, using a pressure support mode and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). A "weaning test" to evaluate clinical stability. Measurements: heart rate, arterial blood pressure, respiratory rate, arterial blood gases, electrocardiogram and incidence of myocardial infarction before and after NIMV. Mortality and duration of hospital stay were also considered. RESULTS: A total of 84 patients received NIMV with 14+/-3.6 cm H2O pressure support over PEEP of 8.3+/-2.1 cm H2O and FiO2 1. At the end of the study period, 16 patients (19%) were considered "non responders" and required invasive ventilation; 62 patients (74%) were considered "responders" and subsequently transferred to the medical ward. The hospital mortality was 14% and 25% in the "responder" and "non responder" groups, respectively; the length of stay was 15.7+/-10.1 days in the "responder" group vs 16+/-10.6 days in the "non responder" group. We never found new episodes of myocardial infarction related to NIMV. The only significant difference between "responder" and "non responder" patients was arterial blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: We hypothesize that "non responder" patients, characterized by blood pressure values lower than "responders", are less "cardiocompetent" and thus unable to cope with the increased work of breathing. NIMV avoided Intensive Care Unit admission for 74% of the observed patients.     

Medical gases,their storage and delivery

Medical gases used in anaesthesia and intensive care include oxygen, nitrous oxide, medical air, entonox, carbon dioxide, heliox and nitric oxide. Breathable gases administered to patients are stored either in bulk outside the hospital or in cylinders within the hospital. Medical gases are then distributed throughout the hospital via a pipeline network.     

Nissen and Toupet fundoplications effectively inhibit gastroesophageal reflux irrespective of natural anatomy and function

Background: The physiology of Nissen fundoplication (NF) and Toupet fundoplication (TF) is controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of elevated intragastric pressure to the antireflux mechanism after surgically created fundoplication in explanted porcine stomachs. Methods: The stomachs and 6–8 cm of distal esophagus were removed from 15 pigs and placed in anatomic position. Five NF, 2 cm in length with three interrupted sutures, were performed, taking full-thickness bites of stomach and partial-thickness bites of esophagus around a 60 French dilator. Five 270° TF 2 cm in length with six interrupted sutures were performed taking full-thickness bites of stomach and partial-thickness bites of esophagus around a 60 French dilator. Each stomach served as its own control. The pylorus was tied off and the stomach was inflated with Ringer's lactate while the pressure was monitored. Results: Before NF, reflux could be easily induced with a mean intragastric pressure of 5.5 ± 3.7 mmHg. After NF reflux could not be induced but the sutures pulled out of the stomach at a mean pressure of 36.8 ± 11.7 mmHg (p < 0.01 vs control). Before TF, reflux could easily be induced with a mean intragastric pressure of 3.0 ± 3.0 mmHg. After TF, reflux could not be induced and the sutures pulled out of the esophagus or stomach with a mean pressure of 30.8 ± 9.0 mmHg (p < 0.01 vs control). Porcine stomachs in vivo are resistant to reflux, but when explanted they reflux easily. NF and TF are so effective at interrupting reflux that the sutures tear out instead of allowing reflux. Conclusions: While not yet statistically significant, it appears that sutures tear out of the esophagus (TF) more readily than they tear out of the stomach (NF). TF and NF prevent reflux in the absence of anatomic or functional components of the lower esophageal sphincter.     

Understanding How Orthopaedic Surgery Practices Generate Value for Healthcare Systems

Background

Orthopaedic surgery practices can provide substantial value to healthcare systems. Increasingly, healthcare administrators are speaking of the need for alignment between physicians and healthcare systems. However, physicians often do not understand what healthcare administrators value and therefore have difficulty articulating the value they create in discussions with their hospital or healthcare organization. Many health systems and hospitals use service lines as an organizational structure to track the relevant data and manage the resources associated with a particular type of care, such as musculoskeletal care. Understanding service lines and their management can be useful for orthopaedic surgeons interested in interacting with their hospital systems.

Questions/purposes

We provide an overview of two basic types of value orthopaedic surgeons create for healthcare systems: financial or volume-driven benefits and nonfinancial quality or value-driven patient care benefits.

Methods

We performed a search of PubMed from 1965 to 2012 using the term “service line.” Of the 351 citations identified, 18 citations specifically involved the use of service lines to improve patient care in both nursing and medical journals.

Results

A service line is a structure used in healthcare organizations to enable management of a subset of activities or resources in a focused area of patient care delivery. There is not a consistent definition of what resources are managed within a service line from hospital to hospital. Physicians can positively impact patient care through engaging in service line management.

Conclusions

There is increasing pressure for healthcare systems and hospitals to partner with orthopaedic surgeons. The peer-reviewed literature demonstrates there are limited resources for physicians to understand the value they create when attempting to negotiate with their hospital or healthcare organization. To effectively negotiate for resources to provide the best care for patients, orthopaedic surgeons need to claim and demonstrate the value they create in healthcare organizations.     

Beneficial effects of a hospital bereavement intervention program after traumatic childhood death

PURPOSE: An investigation of the experiences of parents grieving the traumatic death of their child, the initiatives that helped, and common parental concerns that would benefit from improved education. METHODS: From January 1, 1995, to December 31, 1998, 81 of 3,501 children admitted to our pediatric trauma center died. An attempt was made to enroll all parents. Interactions included family contact at hospital, home/funeral home visit within 1 month of death, educational meeting with parents and 15 supporters at a restaurant within 2 months of death, follow-up survey to parents/supporters, and final interview/survey with parents in 1999-2000. RESULTS: Seventy-seven families were enrolled; 59 families completed the educational meeting with supporters, and 245 parental supporters returned surveys. Supporters were likely to use proposed interventions (82%), were more accepting of the duration of grief (94%), and interacted with parents more often after the death (78%). Parents (n = 44) felt the hospital staff was appropriately sensitive to their child (90%), themselves (93%) and prepared them for their child's death (81%). Parents (n = 54) on behalf of 37 children have completed the final interview. Poor conceptualization of aspects of the medical care and brain death, and delayed regret for missing the opportunity to donate organs, were recurring themes. CONCLUSION: We conclude that parents' unanswered questions or misconceptions regarding brain death, organ donation, and their child's medical care adversely affect their grief; that "normal life" for parents is challenged as they struggle to establish a new sense of normal; and that hospital and trauma service personnel can positively impact the grieving process with appropriate training.     

Migrating motility complexes persist after severe traumatic shock in patients who tolerate enteral nutrition.

BACKGROUND: Postinjury small bowel ileus is poorly characterized and may be an important factor in intolerance to enteral nutrition (EN). We, therefore, placed jejunal manometry catheters in high-risk trauma patients. Our hypothesis was that the presence of "fasting migrating motility complex (MMC)" activity and conversion to a "fed pattern" at goal rate of EN would be present in those patients who tolerate jejunal feeding. METHODS: After obtaining baseline fasting manometry pressure tracings, jejunal feeding was advanced stepwise to a set goal while tolerance was monitored and intolerance was treated by a standard approach. RESULTS: Of the 10 study patients, 7 were able to be maintained on EN. Five (50%) had "fasting MMCs" and had good tolerance to early advancement of EN. The remaining five patients did not exhibit "fasting MMCs" and four had poor tolerance to early advancement of EN. Overall, nine patients reached goal rate of EN of which four converted to a "fed pattern." This, however, was not associated with later tolerance to EN. CONCLUSION: EN is feasible following severe traumatic shock. Surprisingly, half of the patients had fasting MMCs. This requires intact neural and motor function and was associated with good tolerance of early EN.     

The Stark II reality

The long awaited final regulations in Phase I of a two-phase rulemaking process under the Stark II law were published on January 4, 2001. The Phase I final rules govern interpretation of the Stark law as it is applied to referrals by a physician for designated categories of health services to entities in which the referring physician has a financial interest. These new regulations are of particular concern to specialists, such as orthopaedic surgeons, whose practices are oriented to ancillary services that are considered designated health services, such as radiology, physical therapy and durable medical equipment, and where the availability of clear guidance is essential to ensure that medically necessary care is provided in a manner that complies with law. However, rather than the "brightline" guidance that the healthcare community sought, the new regulations create uncertainty in areas that had not existed before. The new regulations require physicians to evaluate the full range of their business and professional relationships to avoid the risk of nonpayment of claims, civil money penalties, or program exclusion after the effective date of the new regulations.     

Giant Neurofibroma in the Right Lower Limb of a 26-Year-Old Woman: Report of a Case

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a genetically inherited, autosomal-dominant disease with an incidence of 1 in 3000 live births. There are two types of NF, NF 1 and NF 2, and NF 1 is the most common. This study reports on the diagnosis, treatment, and related family medical history of a rare case with NF-1 in the right lower limb.     

Information of the patient: the characteristics of implant breast augmentation

Delivering full information and obtaining enlightened assent is an unavoidable stage before each operation. This paper presents the different "rules" that defines this information duty in France. The assimilation of these different elements: sources, contents and the weight of the information can help the surgeon to carry out the consultation before breast augmentation with more efficiency and objectivity. This preoperative consultation can be divided into 10 steps. Each step is submitted to specific directives, which will depend on the scientific, the law, and the jurisprudence evolution. Therefore, in addition to this article, one can find the new information card concerning implant breast augmentation of the French society of plastic reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. This card is the first update of the previous information cards published in 2002. This card guarantees clear, simple and complete information being a base for information duty.     

Geometric and material property study of the human lumbar spine using the finite element method.

In using the finite element method to examine certain aspects of the mechanical behavior of the human lumbar spine, most investigators have made numerous simplifying assumptions regarding the geometric and material data used to build a model of the spine. Since there are no specific rules for choosing geometric and material data for a "normal" human lumbar spine, considerably different types of models have been used by investigators in their finite element studies. In this study, variations in model geometric and material properties are shown to significantly affect the finite element results of an axisymmetric model of the human lumbar spine under axial compression. The Young's moduli of the cancellous bone and intervertebral disc annulus, Poisson's ratios of the cartilaginous end-plate and disc annulus, the width of the disc annulus, the height of the disc, and the ratio of the disc nucleus pressure and axial pressure are recognized as the parametric variables that most significantly affect the finite element solution.     

Tracheostomy and endotracheal tube cuff volume and pressure changes during thoracic operations.

The effects of oxygen and 60% nitrous oxide and oxygen on the pressure and volume of Portex low-pressure (LP) and high-pressure (HP) endotracheal tube cuffs were determined in 120 intubated patients undergoing thoracic surgical procedures. Cuffs were filled with either room air or a sample of the inspired gases. All cuffs had sustained significant increases in cuff volume and pressure by the end of the procedure except those filled with inspired gases. LP cuffs had lower initial and final cuff pressures than HP cuffs, but pressure and volume changes were similar with both types. Cuff gas analysis revealed that cuff volume changes were due to diffusion of oxygen and nitrous oxide into the cuff and failure of nitrogen to diffuse out. These findings suggest that cuff overexpansion during anesthesia or prolonged ventilation may be an important cause of tracheal trauma.     

Transfusion massive : analyse des pratiques en fonction des dispositifs médicaux disponibles

Introduction

An assessment of practices and available medical devices during the treatment of a massive haemorrhage has been realised in the shock unit of our hospital.

Material and methods

Parameters influencing transfusion flow rate have been identified. Medical devices and equipment to accelerate the flow rate were analyzed on the basis of manufacturers’ data and users opinion in relation with their practices.

Results

The system, from blood bags to venous access, influences flow rate: red blood cell viscosity, catheter and pressure gradient. Three types of acceleration systems are available: accelerated transfusion set, pressure cuff with a gravity blood IV set and fast-flow fluid warmers. Their benefits and disadvantages are presented and discussed.

Discussion

Maximum flow rates noted by manufacturers are not the real values because some parameters such as venous catheter diameter (limitative factor) and the red blood cell viscosity (diluted or not) are not considered. The choice of an infusion system is mainly based on the technical capacities (flow rate fluctuations, pressure gradient on blood bags, warming, air purging), practical modalities of use (medical devices and assembly) and cost. The pressure cuff with transfusion gravity set should be limited to non-critical situations or during the assembly of the fast flow fluid warmers (but no warming fluids, no air embolism prevention). The accelerated transfusion set is not the best option for a shock unit because it needs an operator permanently. The fast-flow fluid warmers are recommended for all types of massive haemorrhages, they are more secure but they require a long time to be assembled.     

Multi-imager compatible actuation principles in surgical robotics

Today's most successful surgical robots are perhaps surgeon-driven systems, such as the daVinci (Intuitive Surgical Inc., USA, www.intuitivesurgical.com). These have already enabled surgery that was unattainable with classic instrumentation; however, at their present level of development, they have limited utility. The drawback of these systems is that they are independent self-contained units, and as such, they do not directly take advantage of patient data. The potential of these new surgical tools lies much further ahead. Integration with medical imaging and information are needed for these devices to achieve their true potential. Surgical robots and especially their subclass of image-guided systems require special design, construction and control compared to industrial types, due to the special requirements of the medical and imaging environments. Imager compatibility raises significant engineering challenges for the development of robotic manipulators with respect to imager access, safety, ergonomics, and above all the non-interference with the functionality of the imager. These apply to all known medical imaging types, but are especially challenging for achieving compatibility with the class of MRI systems. Even though a large majority of robotic components may be redesigned to be constructed of MRI compatible materials, for other components such as the motors used in actuation, prescribing MRI compatible materials alone is not sufficient. The electromagnetic motors most commonly used in robotic actuation, for example, are incompatible by principle. As such, alternate actuation principles using "intervention friendly" energy should be adopted and/or devised for these special surgical and radiological interventions. This paper defines the new concept of Multi-Imager Compatibility of surgical manipulators and describes its requirements. Subsequently, the paper gives several recommendations and proposes new actuation principles for this concept. Several implementations have been constructed and tested, and the results are presented here. This is the first paper addressing these issues.     

The performance of master surgeons on standard aptitude testing

BACKGROUND: Identification of the desired psychomotor abilities of optimal surgical performance, if possible, would be useful in the selection of surgical trainees. The aim of this study was to determine the level of these abilities among endoscopic consultant surgeons held in high regard by their peers. METHODS: Twenty endoscopic consultant "master" surgeons were tested on three aptitude tests: the Gibson Spiral Maze Test (error score measures eye-hand coordination), the Crawford Small Parts Dexterity Test (execution time indicates manual dexterity), and the Space Relations Test (correct scores reflect visuo-spatial ability). Their performance was compared with that of 20 medical students and the reference norm as provided by the tests' manuals. RESULTS: The median scores of master surgeons fell in the 20th, 24th, and 30th percentiles, whereas the scores of medical students fell in the 50th, 20th, and 65th percentile of norm reference for the Gibson Spiral Maze, Crawford Small Parts Dexterity, and Space Relations tests, respectively. The master surgeons enacted significantly fewer errors (Gibson Spiral Maze), had similar execution times (Crawford Small Parts Dexterity), and lower visuo-spatial scores (Space Relations) than medical students. CONCLUSION: The level of eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity of master surgeons was found to be higher than that of the average norm including medical students, while their visuo-spatial ability was lower.     

Nationwide variation in outcomes and cost of laparoscopic procedures

Introduction

Healthcare systems and surgeons are under increasing pressure to provide high-quality care for the lowest possible cost. This study utilizes national data to examine the outcomes and costs of common laparoscopic procedures based on hospital type and location.

Methods

The National Inpatient Sample was queried from 2008 to 2011 for five laparoscopic procedures: colectomy (LC), inguinal hernia repair, ventral hernia repair (LVHR), Nissen fundoplication (NF), and cholecystectomy (LCh). Outcomes, including complication rate and inpatient mortality, were stratified by region and hospital type. Both univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed using regression-based survey methods; risk-adjusted mean costs for hospital were calculated after adjusting for patient characteristics.

Results

In univariate analysis, the rates of minor complications varied significantly between geographic regions for LCh, LC, NF, and LVHR (p < 0.05). Though LCh and LVHR had statistical variation between regions for rates of major complications (p < 0.05), all regions were equivalent in rates of inpatient mortality for the procedures (p > 0.05). Rural and urban centers had similar rates of complications (p > 0.05), except for higher rates of major complications following IHR and LC in rural centers (p < 0.02) and following Nissen fundoplication in urban facilities(p < 0.0003). Though urban centers were more expensive for all procedures (p < 0.0001), mortality was similar between groups (p > 0.05). For hospital ownership, private investor-owned facilities were substantially more expensive (p < 0.0001), but had no significant differences in complications compared to other hospital types (p > 0.05). In multivariate analysis, while patient factors helped explain differences between outcome differences in different hospital types and locations, in general, the difference in cost remained statistically significant between hospitals.

Conclusion

Though patient demographics and characteristics accounted for some differences in postoperative outcomes after common laparoscopic procedures, higher cost of care was not associated with better outcomes or more complex patients.