Patient characteristics,anaesthetic workload and techniques in the UK: an analysis from the 7th National Audit Project (NAP7) activity survey

Detailed contemporary knowledge of the characteristics of the surgical population, national anaesthetic workload, anaesthetic techniques and behaviours are essential to monitor productivity, inform policy and direct research themes. Every 3–4 years, the Royal College of Anaesthetists, as part of its National Audit Projects (NAP), performs a snapshot activity survey in all UK hospitals delivering anaesthesia, collecting patient-level encounter data from all cases under the care of an anaesthetist. During November 2021, as part of NAP7, anaesthetists recorded details of all cases undertaken over 4 days at their site through an online survey capturing anonymous patient characteristics and anaesthetic details. Of 416 hospital sites invited to participate, 352 (85%) completed the activity survey. From these, 24,177 reports were returned, of which 24,172 (99%) were included in the final dataset. The work patterns by day of the week, time of day and surgical specialty were similar to previous NAP activity surveys. However, in non-obstetric patients, between NAP5 (2013) and NAP7 (2021) activity surveys, the estimated median age of patients increased by 2.3 years from median (IQR) of 50.5 (28.4–69.1) to 52.8 (32.1–69.2) years. The median (IQR) BMI increased from 24.9 (21.5–29.5) to 26.7 (22.3–31.7) kg.m^–2. The proportion of patients who scored as ASA physical status 1 decreased from 37% in NAP5 to 24% in NAP7. The use of total intravenous anaesthesia increased from 8% of general anaesthesia cases to 26% between NAP5 and NAP7. Some changes may reflect the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the anaesthetic population, though patients with confirmed COVID-19 accounted for only 149 (1%) cases. These data show a rising burden of age, obesity and comorbidity in patients requiring anaesthesia care, likely to impact UK peri-operative services significantly.     

Hypofractionated Concomitant Chemoradiation in Inoperable Locally Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Report on 100 Patients and a Systematic Review

Aims

Concomitant chemoradiation is the standard of care in patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer. The purpose of this study was to analyse the survival outcome and toxicity data of using hypofractionated chemoradiation.

A review of interprofessional training wards: Enhancing student learning and patient outcomes

Background: In an interprofessional training ward (ITW), students from different health professions collaboratively perform patient care with the goal of improving patient care. In the past two decades, ITWs have been established world-wide and studies have investigated their benefits. We aimed to compare ITWs with respect to their logistics, interprofessional learning outcomes and patient outcomes.

Methods: We explored PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science and EMBASE (1990–June 2017) and included articles focusing on interprofessional, in-patient training wards with student teams of medical and other health professions students. Two independent reviewers screened studies for eligibility and extracted data.

Results: Thirty-seven articles from twelve different institutions with ITWs were included. ITWs world-wide are organized similarly with groups of 2–12 students (i.e. medical, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and pharmacy) being involved in patient care, usually for a period of two weeks. However, the type of clinical ward and the way supervisors are trained differ.

Conclusions: ITWs show promising results in short-term student learning outcomes and patient satisfaction rates. Future ITW studies should measure students’ long-term interprofessional competencies using standardized tools. Furthermore, a research focus on the impact of ITWs on patient satisfaction and relevant patient care outcomes is important.     

Impact of Weight Loss During Chemotherapy in Chinese Patients with Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer

Background: Weight loss is frequently observed in pancreatic cancer patients. We aimed to study the prognostic impacts of weight loss early during chemotherapy.

Methods: A total of 72 patients of Chinese ethnicity with unresectable pancreatic cancer who underwent chemotherapy were reviewed. Critical weight loss (CWL) was defined as weight loss ≥ 5% within one month after treatment. The prognostic impact of weight loss and CWL were analyzed.

Results: 47 patients (65.3%) had weight loss after one month of treatment, with 14 (19.4%) suffering from CWL. Baseline characteristics were similar between patients with and without CWL. The median OS and Time-to-treatment-failure (TTF) of patients with CWL were shorter than those without CWL (OS: 4.8?months [CWL] versus [vs.] OS 7.1?months [No CWL]; TTF 1.6?months [CWL] vs. 3.2?months [No CWL]; both P?<?0.01). CWL was an independent adverse prognosticator for OS (Hazard Ratio [HR]?=?2.50; P?=?0.01) and TTF (HR = 2.71; P?<?0.01). Other independent prognosticators for OS were serum albumin <35?mg/dl and CA19-9?≥?1000?IU/ml, while CWL was the only independent prognosticator for TTF (HR 2.71 [95% CI 1.33–5.52]; P?<?0.01).

Conclusions: Development of CWL in early course of chemotherapy was associated with worse prognosis in Chinese patients with unresectable pancreatic cancers.     

Can We Discharge Dynamically Risk-Stratified Low-Risk (Excellent Response to Treatment) Thyroid Cancer Patients After 5 Years of Follow-Up?

Aims

The 2014 British Thyroid Association thyroid cancer guidelines recommend lifelong follow-up of thyroid cancer patients. This is probably unnecessary, can cause patient anxiety, is time consuming and places significant demand on National Health Service resources. It has been suggested that low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients could be discharged to primary care once they are 5 years from diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential safety of this practice.

Chest wall metastasis of endometrial cancer: case report and review of the literature

Introduction: Endometrial cancer is the fourth most common female cancer and also distant metastases to the chest wall associated with these tumors are seen less common. Surgical treatment options for metastases of endometrial cancer are limited.

Case: A 57-year-old patient who underwent total abdominal hysterectomy?+?bilateral salpingo oophorectomy and received adjuvant chemotherapy for endometrioid-type adenocarcinoma of the endometrium and tuba is presented. The patient initially presented with pleural effusion 8 years ago and the tumor was detected while during etiologic screening. The patient had no problems after adjuvant chemotherapy and had been living in another city when she presented with a mass on the chest wall measuring 20?×?15?×?12?cm 8 years after the initial diagnosis and distant organ metastasis due to the first surgery was detected. The mass was first thought to be a sarcoma and the tru-cut biopsy revealed a metastatic lesion that was immunohistochemically similar to the first surgical specimen. The mass was resected with a wide radical excision and ‘no touch’ technique. The patient was then discharged with no postoperative complications.

Conclusion: Here in, a case with a distant organ metastasis due to an endometrioid-type adenocarcinoma is presented accompanied by literature data.     

MRI characteristics of MOG-Ab associated disease in adults: An update

Our knowledge of the radiological spectrum of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody associated disease (MOGAD) is growing rapidly. An update on the radiological features of the disease, and its evolution is thus necessary. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has an increasingly important role in the differential diagnosis of MOGAD particularly from aquaporin-4 antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (AQP4-NMOSD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). Differentiating these conditions is of prime importance because the management is different between the three inflammatory diseases, and thus could prevent further attack-related disability. Therefore, identifying the MRI features suggestive of MOGAD has diagnostic and prognostic implications. We herein review optic nerve, spinal cord and the brain MRI findings from MOGAD adult patients, and compare them to AQP4-NMOSD and MS.     

Molecular insights into hypomineralized enamel

Hypomineralized enamel may be found in connection with the condition molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH), which has a prevalence of around 15% in most parts of the world. Molar incisor hypomineralization is associated with extensive objective and subjective problems, such as hypersensitivity of the affected teeth, enamel breakdown, and problems with retention of restorations. The etiology behind MIH has not yet been elucidated, but a number of possible factors, which affect the same or different functions of ameloblasts during their different stages of maturation, have been suggested. The aim of this study was to utilize multi‐nuclear, solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (ss‐NMR) and time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (ToF‐SIMS) to elucidate any differences, at a molecular level, between enamel powder prepared from normal, healthy teeth and enamel powder prepared from teeth diagnosed with MIH. ³¹P and ²³Na ss‐NMR confirmed the presence of and two different Na⁺ sites in hypomineralized enamel, suggesting a heterogeneous chemical composition. The content of organic components was higher in hypomineralized enamel, as shown by both ¹³C ss‐NMR and ToF‐SIMS, indicating the presence of higher numbers of proteins and phospholipids. The interplay between both is necessary for the formation and mineralization of enamel, which might be disturbed or halted in hypomineralized enamel.     

Repair of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms with Ankura Thoracic Stent Graft

Objective

The aim of the study was to present the results for patients with atherosclerotic aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta (DTA) treated with a novel thoracic stent graft.

Gender equity: how do the forensic sciences fare?

ABSTRACT

Females are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at all levels of society. Fewer females are completing STEM school subjects, graduating with STEM degrees, being employed as STEM professionals, and holding senior leadership and academic positions in STEM. However, unlike almost every other STEM discipline, the overall ratio of females is higher in many forensic science disciplines. For our sector, rather than having difficulty in attracting females, the bigger issue is how we retain and promote female talent. This complex issue is exacerbated by: gender pay gaps; family role expectations; lack of visible role models or mentors; discrimination and harassment; and bias during recruitment and promotion practices. We discuss barriers relevant for women in the forensic industry and offer potential solutions. These include flexible work arrangements, sponsorship programmes, and fostering and practising an inclusive workplace culture. Gender equity programmes and exemplar STEM organizations focused on a commitment to gender parity will be explored. Harnessing untapped female talent is as much a social justice issue as employing best practices for improving the quality, diversity and output of our forensic science workforce, and research and innovation strategies.