Tracheostomy: How and When Should It Be Done in Cardiovascular Surgery ICU?

Abstract   Background: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of timing and techniques of tracheostomy on mortality and morbidity in cardiovascular surgery patients. Methods: Between January 2000 and October 2007, a total of 19,559 cardiac and vascular operations were performed in our hospital, and 205 of these patients (1.04%) who underwent a tracheostomy procedure were included in this retrospective study. Results: Surgical tracheostomy (ST) was employed in 134 (65.4%) and percutaneous tracheostomy (PT) in 71 (34.6%) of the cases. There were 17 complications related to all tracheostomy procedures in 15 (7.3%) patients. Bleeding, requiring surgical intervention, occurred in five (3.7%) ST patients and in one (1.4%) PT patient. Cardiac arrest related to the procedure occurred in two (1.5%) ST patients. Pneumothorax occurred in three (2.2%) ST patients and in one (1.4%) PT patient, subcutaneous emphysema in three (2.2%) ST patients and in one (1.4%) PT patient, and tracheoesophageal fistula in one (0.7%) ST patient (p > 0.05). The postoperative infection rate was significantly lower, and cooperation of the patients, postoperative patient mobilization, and oral feeding rates were higher in the early tracheostomy group. The multifactorial mortality rates of early (相似文献   

Evidence: What Is It,Where Do We Find It,and How Do We Use It?

The purpose of this paper is to review the history and rationale for evidence-based medicine (EBM). The development of EBM is briefly described, together with the pros and cons of evidence-based research, review techniques, and resources. The current status of EBM with regard to the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) is also discussed. In short, EBM can be defined as the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence to make decisions about the care of individual patients. The four main steps are: (1) formulate a clear question from a patient’s problem, (2) search the literature for relevant clinical articles, (3) evaluate and critically appraise existing evidence for its validity and usefulness, and (4) implement useful findings in clinical practice. The power of the evidence-based approach can be enhanced by the development of techniques such as systematic review and meta-analysis. However, although EBM allows us to use current best evidence to make decisions about patient care, the evidence gained from systematic review and meta-analysis only applies to an “average patient” and is not readily adaptable to issues such as etiology, diagnosis and prognosis.     

Cortical Bone Porosity: What Is It,Why Is It Important,and How Can We Detect It?

There is growing recognition of the role of micro-architecture in osteoporotic bone loss and fragility. This trend has been driven by advances in imaging technology, which have enabled a transition from measures of mass to micro-architecture. Imaging trabecular bone has been a key research focus, but advances in resolution have also enabled the detection of cortical bone micro-architecture, particularly the network of vascular canals, commonly referred to as ‘cortical porosity.’ This review aims to provide an overview of what this level of porosity is, why it is important, and how it can be characterized by imaging. Moving beyond a ‘trabeculocentric’ view of bone loss holds the potential to improve diagnosis and monitoring of interventions. Furthermore, cortical porosity is intimately linked to the remodeling process, which underpins bone loss, and thus a larger potential exists to improve our fundamental understanding of bone health through imaging of both humans and animal models.     

Does Blood Flow Restriction Therapy Improve Leg Strength in Patients With a Painful Total Knee Arthroplasty?

BackgroundBlood flow restriction (BFR) therapy has been proposed to help patients build strength with fewer repetitions than standard physical therapy (PT). We sought to determine if BFR would improve quadriceps and hamstring strength in patients with instability and perceived weakness >1 year after primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA).MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 48 patients with painful TKAs and flexion instability as well as quadriceps and hamstring weakness who performed a 6-week PT program and received isokinetic strength measurements (ISMs). Thirty-six patients completed a standard PT program (non-BFR) and 12 patients completed a BFR regimen. ISMs were taken before and after PT to quantify quadriceps and hamstring power, torque, and work compared to the contralateral leg. Statistical analysis was conducted on pre-PT and post-PT ISMs and decisions for revision surgery.ResultsThere were no differences in ISMs after PT between the BFR and non-BFR groups. The non-BFR group showed statistically significant strength improvements in flexion but not extension (+28.7%-32.8%, P = .0145-.255). Although no significant difference was found in the BFR group, they saw improvements in all extension strength metrics (19.4%-23.4%, P = .3315-.3901) and flexion (25.7%-29.9%, P = .1994-.2392). No difference was observed between the groups in the rates of subsequent revision TKA (8.3% vs 16.7%, P = .3362).ConclusionBFR did not improve quadriceps and hamstring strength compared to PT alone in patients with instability and weakness after TKA. Over 80% of total patients chose to avoid revision TKA after completion of focused PT with or without BFR.     

Return to Driving After Arthroscopic and Related Surgery: Before Patients Start,How Do We Know They Can Stop?

When can patients safely drive after surgery? It is neither scientific nor prudent to rely on patients' judgment. A goal is to develop objective data to support evidence-based decision making and lower the rate of postoperative complications, including motor vehicle accidents. In addition, it is obvious and evidence-based that patients should not drive while wearing an arm sling, and while the evidence is mixed, we advise that patients should not return to driving while taking opioid pain medications.     

Residual Breast Tissue after Mastectomy: How Often and Where Is It Located?

Background

Residual breast tissue after a mastectomy can lead to a (second) primary breast cancer. The development of breast cancer after prophylactic mastectomy and the finding of normal breast tissue around a local recurrence support this assumption. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence and localization of residual breast tissue after a mastectomy.

Methods

A series of 206 women who underwent a mastectomy between January 2008 and August 2009 in 11 hospitals were enrolled onto this study after written informed consent was obtained. From each mastectomy specimen, a total of 36 samples were obtained from the superficial dissection plane at predetermined locations. The biopsy samples were analyzed for the presence of benign breast tissue in the inked superficial area. Differences in percentage of positive samples were analyzed by generalized estimating equations to account for their interdependence.

Results

A total of 7,374 biopsy samples from 206 breast specimens of 206 patients were included in the analysis. In 76.2 % of the specimens (n = 157), one or more positive biopsy samples were found. The positive findings were found diffusely across the superficial dissection surface of the specimen with a significant predilection for the lower outer quadrant and the middle circle of the superficial dissection plane.

Conclusions

After a mastectomy, there is a high probability of residual breast tissue. This tissue is predominantly located in the middle circle of the superficial dissection plane and in the lower outer quadrant. Surgeons should be aware of these locations so they may remove as much of the benign breast tissue as possible.     

Robot-Assisted Pediatric Surgery: How Far Can We Go?

Background  

The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and feasibility of performing robot-assisted pediatric surgery using the da Vinci Surgical System in a variety of surgical procedures.     

Detection of Donor DNA After Heart Transplantation: How Far Could It Be Affected by Blood Transfusion and Donor Chimerism?

The possibility to detect donor DNA in recipient plasma has been discussed as a method to prove organ rejection without a biopsy. Usually, the presence of Y chromosome-specific DNA sequences in female recipients has been used as an example. We have analyzed the presence of part of Y chromosomes in females after heart transplantation. The results suggested that pretransplantation blood transfusion together with cell chimerism of donor organs could be factors that affect detection of donor DNA in recipient plasma. Among females who have undergone transplantation, if the donor organ is chimeric, nested polymerase chain reaction may permit detection of Y chromosome-specific DNA sequences to estimate rejection. In other cases, extremely well-controlled methods using multiple markers need to be developed to avoid the danger of false-positive or false-negative results.