Recommendations for nursing requirements at a field hospital,based on the Israel Defense Forces field hospital at the earthquake disaster in Turkey--August 1999

On the 17th of August 1999, an earthquake of 7.4 magnitude on the Richter Scale struck the Marmara region in Turkey causing a massive casualties event with an estimated 2,680 deaths and 5,300 injuries just at the city of Adapazari alone. A field hospital was set up by the Israel Defense Forces at Adapazari in order to provide temporary medical services until regular medical forces recovered. The aim of the paper is to overview the requirements of the nursing staff at a field hospital based on our experience and analysis of the nursing activity at the field hospital at Adapazari. The methods implemented include interviewing all nurses and many of the doctors who took part in the field hospital as well as a review of medical literature about disasters. We found an inverted nurse:phycisian ratio of 1:1.77, as opposed to a 2.5-3:1 ratio in regular civilian hospitals. The nurses in our field hospital had to work longer and more intensive shifts than in a regular hospital. They had to overcome language barriers and cultural differences, and faced difficult hygiene conditions. Our overview analysis of results brought up several recommendations. Firstly, although it is not possible to predictthe number and types of casualties, it is necessary to provide an adequate number of nurses (1-1.5:1 nurse:physician ratio). Furthermore, the nurses should be specialized and rotated as needed. Secondly, the language and cultural barriers should not be undermined despite the abundance of translators. Finally, the hygiene status in a field hospital requires management by nurses with active participation of all members.     

Transurethral resection of bladder tumour complicated by perforation requiring open surgical repair – clinical characteristics and oncological outcomes

Study Type – Therapy (case series)
Level of Evidence 4 What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Evidence suggests that open repair of a bladder perforation during TURBT may increase the risk of pelvic or distant disease recurrence. The study demonstrates that while bladder violation during TURBT may carry a potential for considerable morbidity, it does not seem to substantially increase the risk of extravesical tumour seeding and disease recurrence.

OBJECTIVE

? To examine the clinical characteristics and long‐term outcomes of patients with bladder perforation requiring open surgical repair as a complication of transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT).

PATIENT AND METHODS

? A search of our institutional database yielded 4144 patients who underwent TURBT from 1996 to 2008, of whom 15 (0.36%) required open surgical intervention to repair a large bladder perforation. ? In all cases, a filling cystogram was performed before laparotomy. Clinical, pathological and follow‐up data were reviewed, and the incidence and time of extravesical tumour recurrence were recorded.

RESULTS

? Median patient age was 77 years. Intraperitoneal perforation was diagnosed in 12 patients, generally involving the posterior wall. Concomitant bowel injury was identified in two patients and managed by primary repair. Two patients in whom the diagnosis and intervention were delayed died within 1 week of surgery. ? Metastatic progression was observed in two patients shortly after the perforation (median interval, 4.8 months), and local pelvic recurrence was noted in one of them. ? None of the patients with stage Ta tumours had evidence of extravesical progression. Actuarial estimates of disease‐free survival at 1, 3 and 5 years after the perforation were 83%, 71% and 41%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

? A significant bladder perforation during TURBT requiring open surgical repair is more likely to occur in elderly patients with large posterior wall tumours and heavily pretreated bladders. ? Despite its potential for considerable morbidity, this adverse event does not seem to substantially increase the risk of extravesical tumour seeding. Prompt diagnosis, immediate intervention and meticulous bladder and bowel inspection during laparotomy are imperative.     

Abducens nerve palsy after orbital decompression

Introduction: Double vision after decompression surgery for Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) is well described in the literature and the incidence ranges from 0 to 64%. The Mechanisms for new onset diplopia after orbital decompression are poorly understood. Common theories include: Fibrosis of muscles, displacement of the muscle cone, and reactivation of the TED.

Aim: We present two cases with Abducens nerve palsy after uncomplicated secondary orbital decompression surgery.

Results: Two patients with inactive TED, who were followed for an average of 2 years prior to uneventful secondary decompression surgery, presented at the first postoperative visit with double vision and limitation of abduction in the recently operated eye. Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) was done in both cases and revealed no abnormal bleeding or scaring.

Discussion: Our two cases of Abducens palsy following reoperative orbital decompression may be due to ischemic neuropathy caused by postoperative hemorrhage or inflammation.     

Synovial fluid levels of anti–cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies and IgA rheumatoid factor in rheumatoid arthritis,psoriatic arthritis,and osteoarthritis

Objective

To assess the levels of anti–cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti‐CCP) and IgA rheumatoid factor (IgA‐RF) in synovial fluids of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

Knee effusions of 29 patients with RA (23 women, 6 men; mean ± SD age 60 ± 15 years), 20 with PsA (6 women, 14 men; mean age 51 ± 12 years), and 19 with OA (9 women, 10 men; mean age 73 ± 11.8 years) were aspirated, tested for white blood cell (WBC) counts, centrifuged, and stored at ?20°. Sera of 22, 11, and 12 of these patients with RA, PsA, and OA, respectively, were similarly stored. IgG anti‐CCP and IgA‐RF were detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C‐reactive protein levels were used as measures of disease activity.

Results

Mean levels of synovial fluid anti‐CCP and IgA‐RF were significantly increased in RA joint effusions compared with PsA and OA (anti‐CCP: 150 ± 134, 34 ± 29, and 24 ± 26 units, respectively [P < 0.003]; IgA‐RF: 76 ± 77, 15.7 ± 10, and 18 ± 20 units, respectively). No significant difference was noted between OA and PsA. A significant correlation was found between synovial fluid anti‐CCP and serum anti‐CCP and IgA‐RF. In patients with RA, a significant correlation was found between synovial fluid WBC counts and IgA‐RF (P = 0.03) and serum IgA‐RF (P = 0.008), but not between synovial fluid and serum anti‐CCP levels. In RA patients, C‐reactive protein correlated with serum IgA‐RF.

Conclusion

Anti‐CCP and IgA‐RF were significantly increased in synovial fluid of RA in comparison with PsA and OA patients.

     

“Web impingement” of the ankle: a case report

This case report presents two patients with persisting anterior ankle impingement pain after an ankle distortion. A web-like intra-articular fibrous band was discovered and resected. The patients presented were, after a 1-year follow-up, pain free. Level of evidence IV.