Impact of self-inflicted injury on nontherapeutic laparotomy in patients with abdominal stab wounds

IntroductionBecause Japan has high suicide rates and low violent crime rates, it is likely that most abdominal stab wounds (ASWs) in Japan are self-inflicted. Although physical examination is one of the most important factors in surgical decision making, such evaluations can be difficult in patients with self-inflicted ASWs due to patient agitation and uncooperative behavior. Therefore, the self-inflicted nature of an injury may strongly affect clinical practice, particularly in Japan, but its influence remains uncertain. We hypothesized that the rates of exploratory laparotomy and nontherapeutic laparotomy (NTL) would be higher in self-inflicted patients.MethodsWe reviewed ASW patients from 2004 to 2014 in the Japan Trauma Data Bank. The rates of exploratory laparotomy and NTL were compared between self-inflicted and non-self-inflicted ASWs.ResultsOf the 1705 eligible patients, 1302 patients (76.4%) had self-inflicted ASWs, and 403 patients (23.6%) had non-self-inflicted ASWs. Self-inflicted patients had a significantly higher rate of psychiatric history, but lower injury severity. The in-hospital mortality rate was similar between the two groups (4.5% vs. 5.2%, p = 0.576). Self-inflicted patients had significantly higher rates of exploratory laparotomy and NTL (69.1% vs. 56.7%, p < 0.001, 22.5% vs. 13.6%, p = 0.03, respectively). Self-inflicted patients were also associated with significantly longer hospital stays (10.0 [5.0–21.0] vs. 9.0 [4.0–18.0] days, P = 0.045). In a multivariable analysis, self-inflicted patients were independently associated with exploratory laparotomy (odds ratio [OR], 2.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.55–2.72) and NTL (OR, 1.61; 95% CI: 1.01–2.56).ConclusionASWs in Japan were predominantly self-inflicted. The clinical patterns of self-inflicted ASWs had some unique features. Patients with self-inflicted ASWs had higher rates of laparotomy and NTL. Further studies are needed to develop a useful protocol specific to self-inflicted ASWs.     

Management of cervical stab wounds in low volume trauma centres: systematic physical examination and low threshold for adjunctive studies, or surgical exploration

INTRODUCTION: In Nordic countries penetrating neck injuries (PNIs) are infrequent and management has traditionally been guided by surgeons' preferences. Some form of selective non-operative approach is currently practised in most urban trauma centres. OBJECTIVE: To examine demographic features and treatment outcome of non-ballistic penetrating neck injuries in southern Finland and provide management guidelines for centres with low volume of penetrating neck trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 85 platysma penetrating neck injuries in two southern Finland hospitals (Helsinki University Central Hospital, HUCH and Tampere University Hospital, TaUH) was carried out using the ICD-10 based hospital databases to identify PNI-patients. RESULTS: The incidence of admitted patients with penetrating neck injuries was 1.3/100000/year. Fifty-two (61%) injuries were caused by random acts of violence, 28 (38%) were self-inflicted and 5 (6%) were accidents. Of all 85 patients, 52 (61%) underwent operative exploration with a negative exploration rate of 65%. Hard signs for vascular or aerodigestive trauma were present in 23 (27%) patients and all of these were operated with a negative exploration rate of 30%. Two patients had no hard signs on physical examination but were operatively explored and significant injuries were found in both patients. The hospital mortality rate was 0% and the overall complication rate for operated patients was 7.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Trauma centres managing PNIs infrequently should have an individually tailored management protocol for penetrating neck injury patients. If mandatory exploration is not practised, a systematic physical examination should be the mainstay of diagnostic work up but the threshold for adjunctive studies should be low. Although not evident by the current data, protocol-based management could be useful in decreasing treatment variation and enhancing residency training.     

糖尿病足住院患者决策信息需求问题提示列表的构建及可行性评估

目的 构建糖尿病足住院患者决策信息需求问题提示列表,为促进其参与医疗决策提供实用工具。方法 通过查阅文献、咨询临床一线的专科医护人员、半结构式访谈、德尔菲专家函询并经过临床调适后确定问题提示列表患者版本,便利抽样法选取39例住院患者对问题提示列表在临床使用的可行性进行评估。结果 2轮专家函询的积极系数分别为95.00%和100.00%,专家权威系数为0.951、0.948;第2轮专家函询,指标重要性及相关性的肯德尔协调系数分别为0.214、0.200（均P＜0.05）。最终的问题提示列表包括6个一级指标和43个二级指标。41.03%~69.23%的患者认可问题提示列表的临床使用效果。结论 糖尿病足住院患者决策信息需求问题提示列表具有可行性,能够帮助住院患者提出更多疾病相关问题,改善医患沟通,促进患者参与医疗决策。     

肿瘤晚期患者参与临床决策期望的现况研究

目的探讨肿瘤晚期患者参与临床决策的期望,以期更好地为患者提供医疗护理服务。方法采用患者参与医疗决策期望问卷对200例肿瘤晚期患者进行调查。结果该组人群参与临床决策期望总分为(34.74±3.03)分,信息需求、交流需求和决策需求3个维度的条目均分分别为(2.87±0.32)、(2.88±0.24)和(2.21±0.53)分。相比女性患者,男性患者在信息需求方面期望更高(P0.05);相比66岁及以上的患者,年龄18~50岁和51~65岁患者参与临床决策期望总得分和信息需求维度得分更高(均P0.01)。结论肿瘤晚期患者参与临床决策的信息需求和交流需求较高,而决策需求偏低。不同性别、年龄的患者参与临床决策的期望不同。在实际临床工作中,医务人员有必要关注患者参与临床决策的期望,并根据不同患者参与决策的期望开展医疗护理服务,以满足患者对疾病及治疗等相关知识的需求,促进患者参与决策的积极性,进而提高患者治疗依从性和满意度。     

Fracture risk assessment and clinical decision making for patients with metastatic bone disease

Metastatic breast, prostate, lung, and other cancers often affect bone, causing pain, increasing fracture risk, and decreasing function. Management of metastatic bone disease (MBD) is clinically challenging when there is potential but uncertain risk of pathological fracture. Management of MBD has become a major focus within orthopedic oncology with respect to fracture and impending fracture care. If impending skeletal-related events (SREs), particularly pathologic fracture, could be predicted, increasing evidence suggests that prophylactic surgical treatment improves patient outcomes. However, current fracture risk assessment and radiographic metrics do not have high accuracy and have not been combined with relevant patient survival tools. This review first explores the prevalence, incidence, and morbidity of MBD and associated SREs for different cancer types. Strengths and limitations of current fracture risk scoring systems for spinal stability and long bone fracture are highlighted. More recent computed tomography (CT)-based structural rigidity analysis (CTRA) and finite element (FE) analysis methods offer advantages of increased specificity (true negative rate), but are limited in availability. Other fracture prediction approaches including parametric response mapping and positron emission tomography/computed tomography measures show early promise. Substantial new information to inform clinical decision-making includes measures of survival, clinical benefits, and economic analysis of prophylactic treatment compared to after-fracture stabilization. Areas of future research include use of big data and machine learning to predict SREs, greater access and refinement of CTRA/FE approaches, combination of clinical survival prediction tools with radiographically based fracture risk assessment, and net benefit analysis for fracture risk assessment and prophylactic treatment.     

Consent: risk assessment,risk communication and shared decision making

The consent process is the foundation of the modern doctor–patient relationship, and can present a challenge to doctors. The consent process can be complex, and often involves the interaction of many different factors, including ethical and legal considerations. A shared decision-making process allows for full consideration of the treatment options available, and takes into account individual patient's concerns and preferences. Ensuring that the patient is fully informed requires a thorough understanding of the risks of an intervention for that particular patient; therefore, individualized risk assessment is of fundamental importance. Using a combination of individual patient information, formalized investigations, and population data, gives the most complete assessment of risk. Communicating that risk information to patients is key, and the doctor should always use clear language and avoid bias. The use of visual aids and information leaflets, and the avoidance of vague language and complex statistical terms, will help the patient to develop a more complete understanding of the risks they face.     

Preferences for shared decision making in chronic pain patients compared with patients during a premedication visit

BACKGROUND: There is some evidence that patients' outcomes improve if they are involved in shared decision making (SDM). A chronic pain clinic or premedication visit could be adequate settings for the implementation of SDM. So far, the patients' preference for involvement in decision making and their desire for information have not been tested in anesthesiological settings. METHODS: A group of chronic pain patients was compared with a group of patients in the premedication visit with respect to SDM, the desire for information and perceived involvement in care. The autonomy preference index (API, measuring preference for involvement and desire for information) and the perceived involvement in care scale (PICS, measuring patients' perception of easier involvement by doctors and information exchange) were administered. RESULTS: In total, 190 chronic pain patients and 151 patients of premedication were included in this study. Patient of the premedication visit had significantly higher SDM scores. Desire for information was high, but there were no differences between groups. Younger patients [B (estimate) =- 0.3; 95% CI (-0.4) - (-0.1)], women (B = 10.9; 95% CI 6.3-15.4) and patients with higher educational level (B = 10.1; 95% CI 5.6-14.6) had more desire for SDM. PICS scores were basically influenced by groups: chronic pain patients felt more facilitated by doctors [B =- 0.185; 95% CI (-0.4) - (-0.1)] and had more information exchange [B =- 19.5; 95% CI (-15.8) - (-2.4)] than patients in the premedication visit. CONCLUSION: In both anesthesiological settings, the desire for information was high, but patients in the premedication visit had higher SDM scores, especially young female patients with higher educational level. Real patient-physician interaction showed that premedication patients felt less involved by doctors and had less information exchange compared with the chronic pain patients. Therefore, premedication visits should be focussed more on adequate information exchange and involvement of the patient in the shared decision making process.     

Somato-sensory evoked potentials in root lesions and stenosis of the spinal canal. (Their diagnostic significance in clinical decision making)

The aim of the present study was to determine the significance of different SEP techniques and parameters in clinical evaluation of cases of lumbar and cervical root lesions and stenosis of the spinal canal. Using a qualitative rating scale, 92 cases were analyzed retrospectively whose primary diagnosis was questioned because of conflicting data from clinical, neuroradiological and neurophysiological testing. In conclusion SEP techniques proved to be a useful tool in exclusing other e.g. demyelinating diseases. Except for the time-consuming method of segmental stimulation, the demonstration of the functional deficit itself by SEP techniques in general was frequently disappointing. The contribution of the different SEP parameters to clinical decision making and the clinical consequences are briefly discussed.     

Assessment and documentation of non‐healing,chronic wounds in inpatient health care facilities in the Czech Republic: an evaluation study

The foundation of health care management of patients with non‐healing, chronic wounds needs accurate evaluation followed by the selection of an appropriate therapeutic strategy. Assessment of non‐healing, chronic wounds in clinical practice in the Czech Republic is not standardised. The aim of this study was to analyse the methods being used to assess non‐healing, chronic wounds in inpatient facilities in the Czech Republic. The research was carried out at 77 inpatient medical facilities (8 university/faculty hospitals, 63 hospitals and 6 long‐ term hospitals) across all regions of the Czech Republic. A mixed model was used for the research (participatory observation including creation of field notes and content analysis of documents for documentation and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data). The results of this research have corroborated the suspicion of inconsistencies in procedures used by general nurses for assessment of non‐healing, chronic wounds. However, the situation was found to be more positive with regard to evaluation of basic/fundamental parameters of a wound (e.g. size, depth and location of a wound) compared with the evaluation of more specific parameters (e.g. exudate or signs of infection). This included not only the number of observed variables, but also the action taken. Both were significantly improved when a consultant for wound healing was present (P = 0·047). The same applied to facilities possessing a certificate of quality issued by the Czech Wound Management Association (P = 0·010). In conclusion, an effective strategy for wound management depends on the method and scope of the assessment of non‐healing, chronic wounds in place in clinical practice in observed facilities; improvement may be expected following the general introduction of a ‘non‐healing, chronic wound assessment’ algorithm.     

Primary neck management among patients with cancer of the oral cavity without clinical nodal metastases: A decision and sensitivity analysis

BACKGROUND: A standardized neck management strategy for oral cancer patients without clinical nodal metastases remains to be established. Consequently, a decision and sensitivity analysis of two neck management protocols, involving either prophylactic neck dissection or careful observation, was conducted using the Oral Cancer Registry of Kyushu, Japan. METHODS: We calculated probabilities of subclinical nodal metastases and 5-year survival using the registry data. A two-way sensitive analysis was conducted using the probabilities and parameters of the complete nodal metastasis resection rate (x) and a utility rating that describes the health state induced by dissection (y) compared with the neck condition in a careful-observation group. RESULTS: We solved the threshold curve for y and x for the expected utility between the two groups. The results showed that prophylactic neck dissection must guarantee a complete resection of subclinical nodal metastases with no disadvantage to health state to be evaluated as equally satisfactory as careful observation. CONCLUSIONS: Careful observation involving standardized systematic preoperative and postoperative screening of the neck seems preferable to prophylactic neck dissection for oral cancer patients without subclinical nodal metastases.     

Functional outcome in patients with unstable distal radius fractures, volar locking plate versus external fixation: a meta-analysis

The aim of this study was to compare bridging external fixation with volar locked plating in patients with unstable distal radial fractures regarding functional outcome. A systematic search was performed in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline and EMBASE. All randomized controlled trials that compared bridging external fixation directly with volar locked plating in patients with distal radial fractures were considered. Three reviewers extracted data independently from eligible studies using a data collection form. Studies in which the primary endpoint was measured on the disabilities of the arm shoulder and hand (DASH) score at 3, 6 and 12 months were included in the analysis. To this end, mean scores and standard deviations were extracted. The software package Revman 5 provided by the Cochrane Collaboration was used for data analysis. Three studies involving 174 patients were analyzed. Ninety patients were treated with an (augmented) bridging external fixator and 84 with a volar locking plate. Data were analyzed with the random effects model. The robustness of the results was explored using a sensitivity analysis. Patients treated with a volar locking plate showed significantly lower DASH scores at all times. A difference of 16 (p = 0.006), six (p = 0.008) and eight points (p = 0.06) was found at 3, 6 and 12 months follow-up, respectively. Patients treated with a volar locking plate showed significantly better functional outcome throughout the entire follow-up. However, this difference was only clinically relevant during the early postoperative period (3 months).     

Major limb amputation and mortality in patients with neuro‐ischaemic lower extremity wounds managed in a tertiary hospital: Focus on the differences among patients with diabetes,peripheral arterial disease and both

A majority of lower extremities neuro‐ischaemic wounds (NIU) are related to: (a) only diabetes (DM); (b) only peripheral artery disease (PAD); (c) co‐existing diabetes and peripheral artery disease (DM‐PAD). This study aims to characterise the major clinical outcomes of forementioned three groups of lower extremity wound patients in Singapore. Patients hospitalised for lower extremity NIU between January 2014 and October 2017 in a tertiary hospital in Singapore were analysed. Patients'' major limb amputation and mortality were assessed using Cox regression models. Cumulative survival and amputation‐free survival among the three classified groups were calculated using Kaplan‐Meier analysis. Compared with patients with only DM, those in the PAD group and the DM‐PAD group had higher risk of major limb amputation (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.47, 95% CI: 1.65‐3.70; adjusted hazard ratio: 2.01, 95% CI: 1.53‐2.65 respectively) and mortality (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.36, 95% CI: 1.57‐3.55; adjusted hazard ratio: 2.46, 95% CI: 1.86‐3.26 respectively). The 3‐year survival and amputation‐free survival were lowest in the DM‐PAD group (52.1% and 41.5% respectively), followed by the PAD group (53.3% and 44.6% respectively) and the DM group (74.2% and 68.5% respectively). Lower extremity NIU patients with PAD or DM‐PAD were found to have poorer clinical prognosis than those with DM only.     

Comparing shared decision making using a paper and digital consent process. A multi-site,single centre study in a trauma and orthopaedic department

IntroductionThe importance of shared decision making (SDM) for informed consent has been emphasised in the updated regulatory guidelines. Errors of completion, legibility and omission have been associated with paper-based consent forms. We introduced a digital consent process and compared it against a paper-based process for quality and patient reported involvement in shared decision making.Methods223 patients were included in this multi-site, single centre study. Patient consent documentation was by either a paper consent form or the Concentric digital consent platform. Consent forms were assessed for errors of legibility, completion and accuracy of content. Core risks for 20 orthopaedic operations were pre-defined by a Delphi round of experts and forms analysed for omission of these risks. SDM was determined via the ‘collaboRATE Top Score’, a validated measure for gold-standard SDM.Results72% (n = 78/109) of paper consent forms contained ≥1 error compared to 0% (n = 0/114) of digital forms (P < 0.0001). Core risks were unintentionally omitted in 63% (n = 68/109) of paper-forms compared to less than 2% (n = 2/114) of digital consent forms (P < 0.0001). 72% (n = 82/114) of patients giving consent digitally reported gold-standard SDM compared to 28% (n = 31/109) with paper consent (P < 0.001).ConclusionImplementation of a digital consent process has been shown to reduce both error rate and the omission of core risks on consent forms whilst increasing the quality of SDM. This novel finding suggests that using digital consent can improve both the quality of informed consent and the patient experience of SDM.     

Patient education,engagement and shared decision making: APM patients need to have skin in the game

Total joint replacement remains a highly cost-effective procedure with the potential to improve patient’s quality of life and long-term health. Bundled payment programs require increased alignment between hospitals, surgeons, and patients in order to obtain improved outcomes. Many of the desired care processes and steps needed to cost-effectively achieve the optimal outcome require active patient participation. Therefore, patient engagement throughout the entire episode is critical and efforts to improve and maximize that are needed. Shared decision-making combined with an accurate portrayal of patient risk and the benefits of risk factor modification are discussed.     

Relationship between polyethylene wear,pelvic osteolysis,and clinical symptomatology in patients with cementless acetabular components: A framework for decision making

The purpose of this study is to assess the relationship between acetabular component polyethylene wear, pelvic osteolysis, and clinical symptoms to determine when operative intervention should occur and to predict the degree of difficulty of the revision. Fifty-four revisions of failed cementless acetabular components were performed in 52 patients. All cases demonstrated polyethylene wear radiographically, and in 43 cases (80%), osteolysis of the pelvis was seen. Symptoms of groin or buttock pain were seen in 45 of 54 cases (83%). Preoperative staging of the disease process included one patient with wear radiographically but neither symptoms nor lysis (stage I), 10 patients with wear and pain (stage IIA), 8 patients with wear and lysis but no pain (stage IIB), and 35 patients with wear, lysis, and pain (stage III). Patients in stages I and IIA could be revised with cementless components without structural allograft. Patients in stages IIB and III required structural allograft in 79% and cemented components in 53%. Cemented components were used when there was less than 50% contact between host—bone and prosthesis. Polyethylene wear alone (stage I) is an indication of impending failure, and when symptoms develop (stage IIA), revision should be undertaken. The development of radiographic lysis is a critical event, and as soon as osteolysis develops (stage IIB or III), revision should be undertaken immediately. From the perspective of the revision surgeon, there is great value in the early intervention for polyethylene wear and pelvic osteolysis.     

High thoracic/low cervical, long-term intrathecal (IT) infusion of bupivacaine alleviates "refractory" pain in patients with unstable angina pectoris: Report of 2 cases

Background : There is no reliable treatment for "refractory" pain from unstable angina pectoris (UAP) when epidural infusion of bupivacaine has failed to relieve it. In two such cases we explored the potential of intrathecal (IT) bupivacaine infusion to provide pain relief.
Patients and methods : Two female patients, 70 and 67 years. An 18-G nylon catheter was inserted intrathecally through a 17-G Tuohy needle via the T2–T3 interspace and its tip located at the height of C6–C7 vertebrae. The catheter was connected to a portable, programmable electronic pump filled with bupivacaine 5 mg/ml. The infusion started at rates of 0.1–0.2 ml/h, with optional bolus doses of 0.1–0.2 ml, 4–2 times/h, respectively, by PCA ( P atient- C ontrolled A nalgesia), and then adjusted to give the patients satisfactory (80%–100%) pain relief.
Results : Pain relief was obtained with doses of IT-bupivacaine ranging from 17 to 45 (mean=25) mg/d. The pain intensity decreased from VAS ( V isual A nalogue S core) 9–10 to 0–2 out of 10. The nocturnal sleep improved from 2–4 to 6–7 h. The patients could now ambulate, walking or in a wheel-chair. The IT-treat-ment lasted 700 and 437 d, of which 540 and 343 d (respectively) were spent at home, and was terminated by: (a) the patient's death due to intracranial bleeding (1st case); (b) progressive aggravation of the unstable angina that could not be fully countered by increasing the bupivacaine dose above 1.0 mg/h due to occurrence of cerebral transient ischemic attacks, usually not correlated with orthostatic arterial hypotension but apparently facilitated by microembolization of the cerebral arteries (2nd case).
Conclusion : IT-bupivacaine infusion may alleviate "refractory" pain in patients with unstable angina pectoris when epidural bupivacaine failed to do so. Its use is apparently limited by the IT-bupivacaine critical dosage (in these patients = 1.0–1.5 mg/h).     

Breast molecular imaging: a retrospective review of one institutions experience with this modality and analysis of its potential role in breast imaging decision making

Breast Molecular Imaging (or Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging) has been previously shown to be both sensitive and specific for the detection of breast cancer. The purpose of our study was to retrospectively review all cases of Breast Molecular Imaging (BMI) performed at our institution to determine BMI's potential role in Breast Imaging decision making. A total of 416 cases of BMI from January 2007 to November 2009 were analyzed and the following data were collected: indication for examination, BIRADS assignment after BMI, biopsy outcomes, sensitivity and specificity of the modality and patient follow-up. Fifty-six percent of cases were ordered for an indeterminate asymmetry or focal asymmetry, 14% for evaluation of calcifications, and less than 10% each for the remainder of the indications including palpable lumps with negative imaging, evaluation of extent of disease in patients with known breast cancer and screening of high risk patients who could not undergo MRI. BMI was also shown to be helpful in evaluation of lesions that were difficult to biopsy or for patients that desired further testing rather than biopsy or short term follow-up of abnormalities. Seventy percent of BMI cases performed completed the diagnostic evaluation with BIRADS 1 or BIRADS 2 designations. Only 14% of cases ultimately resulted in biopsy. Contra-lateral findings were discovered in 10% of patients, more than half of which were occult malignancies or high-risk lesions. Of the lesions for which biopsy was recommended, 43% were malignant and 15% were high-risk lesions. Sensitivity of the test at our institution was 93% and specificity 78.9%. Our results show that BMI is both a sensitive and specific test which is useful as an adjunct to standard breast imaging modalities for problem solving in indeterminate cases.     

High levels of plasma malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl, and fibrinogen have prognostic potential to predict poor outcomes in patients with diabetic foot wounds: a preliminary communication

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is the leading cause of lower extremity amputation and is generally known to have poor prognosis. Oxidative stress is considered important in the pathogenesis of chronic wounds. Fibrinogen is a recognized marker in peripheral vascular disease; increasing levels predict an increased mortality and risk of amputation. The aim of this study was to evaluate if plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC) and fibrinogen levels can be used as prognostic markers in patients with DFU. The study design was prospective, nonrandomized, and controlled. A total of 41 DFU grade 1 and 20 DFU grade 2 patients were studied in this case-control study. Diabetic controls without foot ulcers and healthy controls were also studied. Plasma MDA, PC, and fibrinogen levels were significantly higher in patients with DFU compared with those without ulcers (P < .05) and nondiabetic controls (P < .001). These parameters increased in association with DFU grade (P < .01). Increased levels of plasma fibrinogen, MDA, and PC correlated with worsened outcomes. An augmented oxidative stress and plasma fibrinogen level >300.4 mg% (95% confidence interval, 100% sensitivity, 99.2% specificity) was correlated with a high risk of amputation in DFU.