There has been recent interest in the delayed and nonoperative management of appendicitis. The present study assessed the causes and costs of litigation against surgeons following emergency appendectomy, with an emphasis on claims relating to preoperative management.
Materials and methods
Data were obtained from the English NHS Litigation Authority for claims relevant to appendectomy between 2002 and 2011. Two authors independently extracted data and classified it against predetermined criteria.
Results
Successful litigation occurred in 66 % of closed cases (147/223) with a total payout of £8.1 million. There were 24 claims against organizational operating room delays (9 % of total) and 27 against delayed diagnosis (10 %), with respective success rates of 70 and 68 %. From 21 claims relating to damage to fertility, nine were due to either delayed diagnosis or organizational operating room delays. Misdiagnosis was the second most common cause for litigation (16 %), but it had the lowest likelihood of success (49 %). Faulty surgical technique was the most common reason for litigation (39 %), with a 70 % likelihood of success. Of eight claims related to fatality, one was due to unacceptable preoperative delay leading to preventable perforated appendicitis. The overall highest median payouts were for claims of damage to fertility (£52,384), operating list delays (£44,716), and delayed diagnosis (£42,292).
Conclusions
There were significant medicolegal risks surrounding delays related to access to operating lists and diagnosis. Whereas future evidence regarding the safety of delayed appendectomy may provide scientific defense against these claims, the present study provides evidence of the current medicolegal risk to surgeons following delayed treatment of appendicitis. 相似文献
The health-care burden related to ventral hernia management is substantial, with more than 3 billion dollars in expenditures annually in the US. Previous studies have suggested that the utilization of laparoscopic repair remains relatively low although national volume estimates have not been reported. We sought to estimate the inpatient national volume of elective ventral hernia surgery and characterize the proportion of laparoscopic versus open operations.
Methods
We analyzed data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample to identify adults with a diagnosis of an umbilical, incisional, or ventral hernia who underwent an elective inpatient repair between 2009 and 2010. Cases that involved other major abdominal or pelvic operations were excluded. Covariates included patient demographics, surgical approach, and use of mesh. National surgical volume estimates were generated and length of stay and total hospital charges were compared for laparoscopic versus open repairs.
Results
A total of 112,070 ventral hernia repairs were included in the analysis: 72.1 % (n = 80,793) were incisional hernia repairs, while umbilical hernia repairs comprised only 6.9 % (n = 7,788). Laparoscopy was utilized in 26.6 % (n = 29,870) of cases. Mesh was placed in 85.8 % (n = 96,265) of cases, including 49.3 % (n = 3,841) of umbilical hernia repairs and 90.1 % (n = 72,973) of incisional hernia repairs. Length of stay and total hospital charges were significantly lower for laparoscopic umbilical, incisional, and “other” ventral hernia repairs (p values all <0.001). Total hospital charges during this 2-year period approached 4 billion dollars ($746 million for laparoscopic repair; $3 billion for open repair).
Conclusions
Utilization of laparoscopy for elective abdominal wall hernia repair remains relatively low in the US despite its excellent outcomes. Given the substantial financial burden associated with these hernias, future research focused on preventing the development and optimizing the surgical treatment of ventral abdominal wall hernias is warranted. 相似文献
To predict the burden of incident osteoporosis attributable fractures (OAF) in Germany, an economic simulation model was built. The burden of OAF will sharply increase until 2050. Future demand for hospital and long-term care can be expected to substantially rise and should be considered in future healthcare planning.
Introduction
The aim of this study was to develop an innovative simulation model to predict the burden of incident OAF occurring in the German population, aged >50, in the time period of 2010 to 2050.
Methods
A Markov state transition model based on five fracture states was developed to estimate costs and loss of quality adjusted life years (QALYs). Demographic change was modelled using individual generation life tables. Direct (inpatient, outpatient, long-term care) and indirect fracture costs attributable to osteoporosis were estimated by comparing Markov cohorts with and without osteoporosis.
Results
The number of OAF will rise from 115,248 in 2010 to 273,794 in 2050, cumulating to approximately 8.1 million fractures (78 % women, 22 % men) during the period between 2010 and 2050. Total undiscounted incident OAF costs will increase from around 1.0 billion Euros in 2010 to 6.1 billion Euros in 2050. Discounted (3 %) cumulated costs from 2010 to 2050 will amount to 88.5 billion Euros (168.5 undiscounted), with 76 % being direct and 24 % indirect costs. The discounted (undiscounted) cumulated loss of QALYs will amount to 2.5 (4.9) million.
Conclusions
We found that incident OAF costs will sharply increase until the year 2050. As a consequence, a growing demand for long-term care as well as hospital care can be expected and should be considered in future healthcare planning. To support decision makers in managing the future burden of OAF, our model allows to economically evaluate population- and risk group-based interventions for fracture prevention in Germany. 相似文献
Malabsorptive surgical procedures lead to deficiencies in fat-soluble vitamins. However, results concerning serum vitamin D (25OHD) after gastric bypass (GBP) are controversial. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of GBP on 25OHD and calcium metabolism.
Methods
Parameters of calcium metabolism were evaluated in 202 obese subjects before and 6 months after GBP. Thirty of them were matched for age, gender, weight, skin color, and season with 30 subjects who underwent sleeve gastrectomy (SG). A multivitamin preparation that provides 200 to 500 IU vitamin D3 per day was systematically prescribed after surgery.
Results
In the 202 patients after GBP, serum 25OHD significantly increased from 13.4?±?9.1 to 22.8?±?11.3 ng/ml (p?<?0.0001), whereas parathyroid hormone (PTH) did not change. Despite a decrease in calcium intake (p?<?0.0001) and urinary calcium/creatinine ratio (p?=?0.015), serum calcium increased after GBP (p?<?0.0001). Preoperatively, 91 % of patients had 25OHD insufficiency (<30 ng/ml), 80 % deficiency (<20 ng/ml), and 19 % secondary hyperparathyroidism (>65 pg/ml) vs. 76, 44, and 17 %, respectively, following GBP. Serum 25OHD was negatively correlated with BMI at 6 months after GBP (R?=??0.299, p?<?0.0001). In the two groups of 30 subjects, serum 25OHD and PTH did not differ at 6 months after GBP or SG.
Conclusions
At 6 months after GBP, serum 25OHD significantly increased in subjects supplemented with multivitamins containing low doses of vitamin D. These data suggest that weight loss at 6 months after surgery has a greater influence on vitamin D status than malabsorption induced by GBP. 相似文献
A major long-term concern after gastric bypass (GBP) is the risk of osteoporosis; however, little is known about this complication in patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy (SG).
Objective
To evaluate changes in bone mineral density (BMD) after GBP and SG, and its relationship with changes in vitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), ghrelin, and adiponectin.
Methods
Twenty-three women undergoing GBP (BMI 42.0?±?4.2 kg/m2; 37.3?±?8.1 years) and 20 undergoing SG (BMI 37.3?±?3.2 kg/m2; 34.2?±?10.2 years) were studied before and 6 and 12 months after surgery. BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Plasma PTH, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), ghrelin, and adiponectin concentrations were determined. Food as well as calcium and vitamin D supplement intake was recorded.
Results
Excess weight loss (mean?±?SE), adjusted by baseline excess weight, was 79.1±3.8 % and 74.9?±?4.1 % 1 year after GBP and SG, respectively (p?=?0.481). Significant reduction in BMD for total body (TB), lumbar spine (LS), and femoral neck (FN) was observed after GBP. In the SG group, reduction in BMD was significant only for TB. Adjusted by baseline BMD, the difference between change in BMD for GBP vs. SG was not significant for TB, LS, or FN. Percent reduction in ghrelin concentration was a main factor related to total BMD loss (GBP group) and LS BMD loss (GBP and SG groups).
Conclusions
One year after gastric bypass, bone mineral density was significantly affected, mainly at the femoral neck. Decreases in bone mineral density were more dramatic among patients who had greater baseline BMD and greater reduction in ghrelin concentrations. 相似文献
We compared the operative and immediate postoperative experience of the trocar-based Prolift® and non-trocar-based Elevate® techniques used to repair vaginal prolapse.
Methods
A retrospective review of Prolift and Elevate repairs was performed. Baseline characteristics and operative and postoperative variables evaluated included compartment(s) repaired, adjacent organ injury, operative time (OT), change in hemoglobin (ΔH), pain score, narcotic use, length of stay (LOS), and short-term complications. Categorical variables were assessed as counts and percent frequency. Data were compared using chi-squared analysis and paired t test.
Results
Prolift (n?=?143) and Elevate (n?=?77) patients were similar in age (p?=?0.19). Concurrent hysterectomy was done in 22 (15.4 %) and 24 (31.2 %), respectively, and concurrent midurethral sling placed in 100 (70 %) and 50 (65 %), respectively. LOS (median, 25th,75th) after anterior/apical compartment repairs was shorter with Elevate, whether with (1.0; 1.0,1.5 vs. 2.0 days;1.0, 2.0; p?=?0.003) or without (2.0; 1.0, 2.0 vs. 2.0 days; 2.0, 3.0; p?=?0.024) hysterectomy, but no differences in OT, ΔH, pain score, or narcotic use occurred. Posterior compartment mean pain scores were lower with Prolift (3.6 ± 2.2 vs. 1.7 ± 1.5, p?=?0.035), and three-compartment-repair pain scores were lower with Elevate (0.6 ± 1.3 vs 2.5 ± 1.9; p?=?0.013). Three bladder injuries occurred with Prolift but none with Elevate.
Conclusions
Operative and postoperative experiences were similar between groups; however, Elevate anterior/apical repairs had shorter LOS, which might reflect more aggressive discharge planning. There were no bowel or major vascular injuries, and the Prolift trocar bladder injuries did not alter the surgical procedure. 相似文献
Early surgical results after emergency repairs for the most frequent ventral hernias (epigastric, umbilical, and incisional) are not well described. Thus, the aim of present study was to investigate early results and risk factors for poor 30-day outcome after emergency versus elective repair for ventral hernias.
Methods
All patients undergoing epigastric, umbilical, or incisional hernia repair registered in the Danish Hernia Database during the period 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2010 were included in the prospective study. Follow-up was obtained through administrative data from the Danish National Patient Register.
Results
In total, 10,041 elective and 935 emergency repairs were included. The risk for 30-day mortality, reoperation, and readmission was significantly higher (by a factor 2–15) after emergency repairs than after elective repairs (p ≤ 0.003). In addition, there were significantly more patients with concomitant bowel resection after emergency repairs than after elective repairs (p < 0.001). Independent risk factors for emergency umbilical/epigastric hernia repair were female gender, older age, hernia defects >2–7 cm, and repair for a primary hernia (vs recurrent hernia) (all p < 0.05). Independent risk factors for emergency incisional hernia repair were female gender, increasing age, and hernia defects ≤7 cm (all p < 0.05).
Conclusions
Emergency umbilical/epigastric or incisional hernia repair was beset with up to 15-fold higher mortality, reoperation, and readmission rates than elective repair. Older age, female gender, and umbilical hernia defects between 2 and 7 cm or incisional hernia defects up to 7 cm were important risk factors for emergency repair. 相似文献
We assessed the acute impact of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (GBP) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG) compared to caloric-matched control group without surgery on glucose excursion in obese patients with type 2 diabetes, and examined if this was mediated by changes in insulin resistance, early insulin response or glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 levels.
Methods
Six-day subcutaneous continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) recordings were obtained from patients beginning 3 days before GBP (n?=?11), SG (n?=?10) or fasting in control group (n?=?10). GLP-1, insulin and glucose were measured during 75 g oral glucose tolerance testing at the start and end of each CGM.
Results
Post-operative hyperglycaemia occurred after both surgeries in the first 6 h, with a more rapid decline in glycaemia after GBP (p?<?0.001). Beyond 24 h post-operatively, continuous overlapping of net glycaemia action reduced from baseline after GBP (median [interquartile range]) 1.6 [1.2–2.4] to 1.0 [0.7–1.3] and after SG 1.4 [0.9–1.8] to 0.7 [0.7–1.0]; p?<?0.05), similar to controls (2.2 [1.7–2.5] to 1.3 [0.8–2.8] p?<?0.05). Higher log GLP-1 increment post-oral glucose occurred after GBP (mean ± SE, 0.80?±?0.12 vs. 0.37?±?0.09, p?<?0.05), but not after SG or control intervention. Among subgroup with baseline hyperglycaemia, a reduction in HOMA-IR followed GBP. Reduction in time and level of peak glucose and 2-h glucose occurred after both surgeries but not in controls.
Conclusions
GBP and SG have a similar acute impact on reducing glycaemia to caloric restriction; however, with a superior impact on glucose tolerance. 相似文献
Following gastric bypass surgery (GBP), there is a post-prandial rise of incretin and satiety gut peptides. The mechanisms of enhanced incretin release in response to nutrients after GBP is not elucidated and may be in relation to altered nutrient transit time and/or malabsorption.
Methods
Seven morbidly obese subjects (BMI?=?44.5?±?2.8?kg/m2) were studied before and 1?year after GBP with a d-xylose test. After ingestion of 25?g of d-xylose in 200?mL of non-carbonated water, blood samples were collected at frequent time intervals to determine gastric emptying (time to appearance of d-xylose) and carbohydrate absorption using standard criteria.
Results
One year after GBP, subjects lost 45.0?±?9.7?kg and had a BMI of 27.1?±?4.7?kg/m2. Gastric emptying was more rapid after GBP. The mean time to appearance of d-xylose in serum decreased from 18.6?±?6.9?min prior to GBP to 7.9?±?2.7?min after GBP (p?=?0.006). There was no significant difference in absorption before (serum d-xylose concentrations?=?35.6?±?12.6?mg/dL at 60?min and 33.9?±?9.1?mg/dL at 180?min) or 1?year after GBP (serum d-xylose?=?31.5?±?18.1?mg/dL at 60?min and 27.2?±?11.9?mg/dL at 180?min).
Conclusions
These data confirm the acceleration of gastric emptying for liquid and the absence of carbohydrate malabsorption 1?year after GBP. Rapid gastric emptying may play a role in incretin response after GBP and the resulting improved glucose homeostasis. 相似文献
The purpose of this study was to establish long-term outcome after elective adult umbilical hernia (AUH) repair.
Methods
Peri- and postoperative data considering all consecutive procedures at our institution during the time span from 1999 to 2009 were retrospectively gathered and followed by a questionnaire and, if needed, a clinical investigation in early 2011.
Results
A total of 162 patients (female/male 35 %/65 %) were operated, and 144/162 (89 %) answers were gathered, mean follow-up time 70 months; 77 % were sutured, non-mesh repairs; 94 % of all AUHs were smaller than 3 cm; and 49 % of the operations were performed under local anaesthesia. No perioperative complications were encountered. Five postoperative complications were encountered, two serious, both after mesh-based repairs. Wound infection rate (SSI) was low, 2/144 (1.4 %). 7/144 (4.9 %) recurrences were registered, none if mesh-based techniques were used, giving a recurrence rate of 6.3 % in suture-based repairs, the difference, however, not statistically significant (p = 0.141); 2 % reported persistent pain at follow-up, 89 % were overall satisfied with the outcome.
Conclusions
AUH repair could be performed with low early and long-term complication rates, with low recurrence rates also after non-mesh repairs. A substantial cohort of patients will unnecessary be implanted with meshes if mesh-reinforced repairs should be used on a routine basis, that is, 16 surplus meshes to prevent one recurrence in the present study. We recommend a tailored approach to AUH repair: suture-based methods with defects smaller than 2 cm and mesh-based repairs considered if larger than that. 相似文献
In 2008 and 2011, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released notifications regarding vaginal mesh. In describing prolapse surgery trends over time, we predicted vaginal mesh use would decrease and native tissue repairs would increase.
Methods
Operative reports were reviewed for all prolapse repairs performed from 2008 to 2011 at our large regional hospital system. The number of each type of prolapse repair was determined per quarter year and expressed as a percentage of all repairs. Surgical trends were examined focusing on changes with respect to the release of two FDA notifications. We used linear regression to analyze surgical trends and chi-square for demographic comparisons.
Results
One thousand two hundred and eleven women underwent 1,385 prolapse procedures. Mean age was 64?±?12, and 70 % had stage III prolapse. Vaginal mesh procedures declined over time (p?=?0.001), comprising 27 % of repairs in early 2008, 15 % at the first FDA notification, 5 % by the second FDA notification, and 2 % at the end of 2011. The percentage of native tissue anterior/posterior repairs (p?<?0.001) and apical suspensions (p?=?0.007) increased, whereas colpocleisis remained constant (p?=?0.475). Despite an overall decrease in open sacral colpopexies (p?<?0.001), an initial increase was seen around the first FDA notification. We adopted laparoscopic/robotic techniques around this time, and the percentage of minimally invasive sacral colpopexies steadily increased thereafter (p?<?0.001). All sacral colpopexies combined as a group declined over time (p?=?0.011).
Conclusions
Surgical treatment of prolapse continues to evolve. Over a 4-year period encompassing two FDA notifications regarding vaginal mesh and the introduction of laparoscopic/robotic techniques, we performed fewer vaginal mesh procedures and more native tissue repairs and minimally invasive sacral colpopexies. 相似文献
Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is produced in the heart in response to stretching of the myocardium. BNP levels are negatively correlated to obesity, and in obese subjects, a reduced BNP responsiveness has been described. Diet-induced weight loss has been found to lower or to have no effect on BNP levels, whereas gastric banding and gastric bypass have reported divergent results. We studied obese patients undergoing gastric bypass (GBP) surgery during follow-up of 1 year.
Methods
Twenty patients, 18 women, mean 41 (SD 9.5) years old, with a mean preoperative BMI of 44.6 (SD 5.5)?kg/m2 were examined. N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP), glucose and insulin were measured preoperatively, at day 6 and months 1, 6 and 12. In 14 of the patients, samples were also taken at days 1, 2 and 4.
Results
The NT-ProBNP levels showed a marked increase during the postoperative week (from 54 pg/mL preop to 359 pg/mL on day 2 and fell to 155 on day 6). At 1 year, NT-ProBNP was 122 pg/mL (125 % increase, p?=?0.01). Glucose, insulin and HOMA indices decreased shortly after surgery without correlation to NT-ProBNP change. Mean BMI was reduced from 44.6 to 30.5 kg/m2 at 1 year and was not related to NT-ProBNP change.
Conclusions
The data indicate that GBP surgery rapidly alters the tone of BNP release, by a mechanism not related to weight loss or to changes in glucometabolic parameters. The GBP-induced conversion of obese subjects, from low to high NT-ProBNP responders, is likely to influence the evaluation of cardiac function in GBP operated individuals. 相似文献
Long-term outcomes after obturator hernia surgery remain unclear.
Methods
Between 1979 and 2012, 80 consecutive operations for obturator hernia were performed for 70 patients at our hospital. Their charts were retrospectively reviewed, and the patients were contacted by telephone to check for the presence of an episode of recurrence. Including bilateral cases, a total of 104 obturator hernia repairs were divided by type into either mesh repair (n = 29) or non-mesh repair (n = 75). Recurrence rate was then calculated and compared between groups.
Results
Median age at the time of initial surgery was 84 years. Postoperative complications occurred in 31 operations (39 %), including four in-hospital deaths (5 %). After the initial obturator hernia surgery, the 2- and 5-year survival rates were 74 and 55 %, respectively. Seventeen recurrences were detected, all after non-mesh repairs. Recurrence rates at 3 years after obturator hernia repair were 0 % for mesh repair and 22 % for non-mesh repair (P = 0.048).
Conclusions
Once patients recover from an incarcerated obturator hernia, they may still enjoy their super-aged lives. To prevent the recurrence, mesh repair is preferable if no contraindications are present. 相似文献
Hernia repairs in contaminated fields are often reinforced with a bioprosthetic mesh. When choosing which of the multiple musculofascial abdominal wall planes provides the most durable repair, there is little guidance. We hypothesized that the retro-rectus plane would reduce recurrence rates versus intraperitoneal placement due to greater surface area contact of mesh with well-vascularized tissue.
Methods
Forty-nine of the 80 patients in an ongoing, prospective, multicenter study of contaminated ventral hernia repairs (RICH study, NCT00617357) achieved fascial closure after musculofascial centralization and reinforcement with non-crosslinked porcine acellular dermal matrix (Strattice?, LifeCell, Branchburg, NJ) and were retrospectively analyzed. The Strattice was placed in the retro-rectus position in 23 patients and in the intraperitoneal position in 26.
Results
Subjects were comparable in age, obesity, prior wound infection, presence of a stoma, and infected mesh removal (p > 0.05). More smokers were present in the intraperitoneal group (p = 0.02). Retro-rectus defects were significantly wider and had larger area than the intraperitoneal repairs. At the 1-year follow-up, 44 (90%) of patients were available for review. There was no difference in wound infections, seromas, or hematomas. Recurrent hernias were identified in 10% of retro-rectus repairs and 30% of intraperitoneal repairs (p = 0.14).
Conclusions
In this retrospective analysis of a prospective multicenter study of large, contaminated ventral hernias, despite a larger hernia defect in the retro-rectus group, placement of the mesh in the retro-rectus compartment resulted in a similar recurrence rate to intraperitoneal mesh placement. Ongoing evaluation is important to establish longer-term outcomes and the validity of these findings. 相似文献
To report our experience with pelvic reconstructive surgery with transobturator mesh implants in elderly women.
Materials and methods
A total of 32 women aged >75 years with pelvic organ prolapse receiving anterior and/or posterior repair using transobturator mesh implants were included. Concomitant mid-urethral sling procedure was performed in 78 % women. Postoperative outcome data and quality-of-life measurements were recorded prospectively. Patients were followed for up to 24 months.
Results
Mean age at surgery was 82.8 ± 3.1 years. A total of 15 anterior repairs, 8 posterior repairs, and 9 posterior and anterior repairs were performed using transobturator mesh implants. Concomitant synthetic mid-urethral transobturator sling procedure was performed in 25 women (78 %). Mean operating time was 47.2 ± 22.3 min, and the mean hospitalization period was 5.9 ± 1.6 days. There were no systemic complications related to anesthesia or surgery. Two patients required intraoperative bladder suturing due to iatrogenic bladder lesion. There were no rectal injuries, no bleeding necessitating transfusion, voiding dysfunction, or erosions of synthetic implants. Pelvic floor testing at 24 months postoperatively showed 15 % of the patients presenting with stage II vaginal wall prolapse. Further, quality-of-life parameters, as measured by SF-36 questionnaire, were improved compared to baseline values.
Conclusions
Pelvic reconstructive surgery in elderly women is safe and enhances the quality of life. However, special caution should be paid to risks and benefits of such surgery in this patient population. 相似文献
Repeat repair of bile duct injuries (BDIs) after cholecystectomy is technically challenging, and its success remains uncertain. We retrospectively evaluated the short- and long-term outcomes of patients requiring reoperative surgery for BDI at a major referral center for hepatobiliary surgery.
Methods
Between January 1991 and May 2011, we performed surgical BDI repairs in 46 patients. Among them, 22 patients had undergone a previous surgical repair elsewhere (group 1), and 24 patients had no previous repair (group 2). We compared the early and late outcomes in the two groups.
Results
The patients in group 1 were younger (48.6 vs. 54.8 years, p = 0.0001) and were referred after a longer interval (>1 month) from BDI (72.7 vs. 41.7 %, p = 0.042). Intraoperative diagnosis of BDI (59.1 vs. 12.5 %, p = 0.001), ongoing cholangitis (45.4 vs. 12.5 %; p = 0.02), and delay of repair after referral to our institution (116 ± 34 days vs. 23 ± 9 days; p = 0.001) were significantly more frequent in group 1 than in group 2. No significant differences were found for postoperative mortality, morbidity, or length of stay between the groups. Patients with associated vascular injuries had a higher postoperative morbidity rate (p = 0.01) and associated hepatectomy rate (p = 0.045). After a mean follow-up of 96.6 ± 9.7 months (range 5–237.2 months, median 96 months), the rate of recurrent cholangitis (6.5 %) was comparable in the two groups.
Conclusions
This study demonstrates that short- and long-term outcomes after surgical repair of BDI are comparable regardless of whether the patient requires reoperative surgery for a failed primary repair. Associated vascular injuries increase postoperative morbidity and the need for liver resection. 相似文献
Tacrolimus is an effective (but relatively expensive) immunosuppressant that is used widely in patients with membranous nephropathy. To reduce the tacrolimus dose while maintaining an equivalent therapeutic effect, we studied the clinical efficacy and pharmacoeconomic impact of co-administration of Wuzhi capsules (WZC that protects against damage to liver cells) and tacrolimus.
Methods
Sixty patients with membranous nephropathy were divided randomly into two groups: experimental (tacrolimus + WZC + corticosteroids) and control (tacrolimus + corticosteroids). Each group received treatments continuously for >6 months. Liver function; renal function; and whole-blood concentrations of tacrolimus, sugars, lipids, as well as 24-h urinary protein levels were used in the clinical evaluation. The cost of drugs was calculated, and the pharmacoeconomic cost-effectiveness analyses were carried out to compare indices between the two groups.
Results
Doses and costs of tacrolimus differed significantly between experimental and control groups (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05). Costs in the experimental group were 13,702.62 ± 1,458.6 CNY (2,194.10 ± 233.56 USD) and those in the control group were 17,796.87 ± 2,469.27 CNY (2,849.69 ± 395.39 USD), with clinical efficacy of 93.3 and 90.0 %, respectively. The cost-effectiveness ratios were 146.86 ± 15.63 and 197.73 ± 27.44, respectively. Compared with the experimental group, the control group showed an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of 1,240.68 ± 306.25 CNY (198.66 ± 49.04 USD), whereas remission between the two groups was similar.
Conclusion
Co-administration of WZCs and tacrolimus can reduce the dose of tacrolimus and decrease the costs incurred by patients within the same therapeutic window to that seen for treatment with tacrolimus alone. 相似文献
The aim of this study is to evaluate the true incidence of all clinical negligence claims against spinal surgery performed by orthopaedic spinal surgeons and neurosurgeons in the National Health Service (NHS) in England, including both open and closed claims.
Methods
This study was a retrospective review of 978 clinical negligence claims held by NHS Resolution against spinal surgery cases identified from claims against ‘Neurosurgery’ and ‘Orthopaedic Surgery’. This category included all emergency, trauma and elective work and all open and closed cases without exclusion between April 2012 and April 2017.
Results
Clinical negligence claims in spinal surgery were estimated to cost £535.5 million over this five-year period. There is a trend of both increasing volume and estimated costs of claims. The most common causes for claims were ‘judgement/timing’ (512 claims, 52.35%), ‘interpretation of results/clinical picture’ (255 claims, 26.07%), ‘unsatisfactory outcome to surgery’ (192 claims, 19.63%), ‘fail to warn/informed consent’ (80 claims, 8.13%) and ‘never events’ including ‘wrong site surgery’ or ‘retained instrument post-operation’ (26 claims, 2.66%). A sub-analysis of 3 years including 574 claims revealed the most prevalent pathologies were iatrogenic nerve damage (132 claims, 23.00%), cauda equina syndrome (CES) (131 claims, 22.82%), inadequate decompression (91 claims, 15.85%), iatrogenic cord damage (72 claims, 12.54%), and infection (51 claims, 8.89%).
Conclusions
The volume and costs of clinical negligence claims is threatening the future of spinal surgery. If spinal surgery is to continue to serve the patients who need it, most thorough investigation, implementation and sharing of lessons learned from litigation claims must be systematically carried out.
Graphical abstract
These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
Super-obese patients in NHS Lothian during 2009–2010 were offered the intragastric balloon to assist with weight loss prior to definitive bariatric surgery along with participation in a structured weight management programme. Those who declined balloon placement continued to receive weight management alone (WM). The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the structured weight management programme with and without the addition of the intragastric balloon.
Methods
Patients referred to the NHS Lothian Bariatric Service in 2009 with BMI?>?55 kg/m2 or weight?>?200 kg and assessed as otherwise eligible for bariatric surgery were offered structured weight management with or without placement of an intragastric balloon with the aim of achieving a target of 10 % excess weight loss (EWL) over 6 months.
Results
Twenty-eight patients were recruited. Fifteen opted for balloon placement and 13 declined. Three patients in the balloon group required early balloon removal due to intolerance and three dropped out of the WM group through non-attendance. Of those remaining, two in the balloon group and three in the WM group failed to achieve the 10 % EWL target. Overall, median %EWL was 17.1 % for the balloon group and 16.1 % for the WM group (p?=?0.295, Mann–Witney U-test).
Conclusions
The additional use of intragastric balloon conferred no benefit over structured weight management alone in achieving pre-operative weight loss in a super-obese patient population. In the context of limited resources within NHS Lothian, the continued use of intragastric balloon in this way cannot be justified. 相似文献
Osteoporosis is a major public health concern for elderly subjects. Old age is a risk factor for fragility fractures; countries with aging population face a heavy burden of fractures and their consequences.
Introduction
In 2009, the total population of Argentina was 40 million, with 10 million inhabitants aged >50 years. Population will grow 13% by 2050 and reach 53 million, but the elderly population will reach 19.5 million.
Discussion
Local bone mineral density studies reveal that two out of four postmenopausal women have osteopenia, one has osteoporosis, and one has a normal bone mineral density. Around 3.3 million women will suffer from osteopenia in 2025 and 5.24 million in 2050. Although the rate of fragility fractures is higher in patients with osteoporosis, the absolute number of fractures is higher in osteopenic patients. In Argentina, the mean annual rate of hip fractures is 488/100,000 inhabitants aged above 50 years, with a 2.6:1 F/M ratio. Thus, over 34,000 hip fractures occur every year among the aged populationwith an average 90 such fractures per day.
Conclusion
The Latin American Vertebral Osteoporosis Study found an overall 16.2% prevalence of vertebral fractures in Argentinean women aged 50 years or over. Hospitalization costs of hip and vertebral fractures in Argentina exceed 190 million USD per year. Consequently, the costs of osteoporosis for the public health system are staggering; however, the federal or the provincial governments of Argentina do not give the disease a high priority. To conclude, efforts for the prevention and management of osteoporosis are urgently needed. 相似文献
