A control-matched comparison of laser epithelial keratomileusis and laser in situ keratomileusis for low to moderate myopia

PURPOSE: To compare the visual and refractive outcomes of laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for the treatment of low to moderate myopia. DESIGN: Retrospective, nonrandomized, control-matched study. METHODS: The charts of 2257 eyes that underwent LASEK or LASIK treatment were reviewed. Patients who were 21 years of age or older having between -0.75 and -6.00 diopters (D) of myopia with up to -2.25 D of astigmatism were included. One hundred twenty-two LASEK-treated eyes were matched with 122 LASIK-treated eyes having preoperative spheres, cylinders, and spherical equivalent (SE) within +/-0.50 D. Both groups had similar preoperative best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), laser platform, and follow-up durations. Outcome measures were visual and refractive results. RESULTS: Preoperatively, the mean SE was -3.50 +/- 1.40 D for LASEK and -3.50 +/- 1.42 D for LASIK (P = .59). Postoperatively, the mean logarithm of minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 0.01 +/- 0.08 (20/21) for LASEK and 0.06 +/- 0.12 (20/23) for LASIK; the mean SE was -0.15 +/- 0.40 D for LASEK and -0.37 +/- 0.45 D for LASIK; and the mean logMAR of BSCVA was -0.03 +/- 0.06 (20/19) for LASEK and -0.02 +/- 0.05 (20/19) for LASIK. No eye lost 2 or more lines of BSCVA in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Slight differences in the visual and refractive results between LASEK and LASIK were observed, despite the use of the same nomogram. Both procedures were safe, effective, and predictable. Nomogram adjustment may be necessary for LASIK surgeons adopting surface ablation.     

Percutaneous gastrojejunostomy in children: efficacy and safety

Transgastric jejunal intubation via gastrostomy (GJ) can be indicated when enteral nutrition via gastrostomy is not possible. Between 2001 and 2008, the authors prospectively assessed the outcomes in 29 patients (median age, 10 months) after GJ. Indications for jejunal feeding were severe gastro-oesophageal reflux (n=27) and intestinal dysmotility (n=2). The GJ was successfully placed in 27/29 patients. Complications were: 31 tube dislodgements, 16 obstructions, 7 leakages around the tube, 6 internal balloon ruptures and 1 intussusception. The median lifetime of the tube was 3 months. 9/27 patients died during the study period, 11 patients required surgery, 2 required parenteral nutrition, gastric feeding became tolerated in 3 and the gastrojejunal feeding tube was kept in place in the remaining 2. A transgastric jejunal feeding tube may constitute a transitory alternative to antireflux surgery or prolonged parenteral nutrition. However, the high frequency of complications and tube replacement limits its use.     

How to Perform Breast Augmentation Safely for a Pectus Excavatum Patient

Background  

Pectus excavatum is the most common chest wall deformity. Women with pectus excavatum may have associated hypoplastic breasts and often desire breast augmentation. This report describes how to perform breast augmentation safely for a pectus excavatum patient.     

The role of race, socioeconomic status, and distance traveled on the outcome of African-American patients with multiple myeloma

The incidence and mortality of multiple myeloma (MM) in African-Americans is double that in whites. We questioned whether race, socioeconomic status, and distance traveled affect overall survival. In a retrospective review of the records of 292 patients with MM. We found that the median age was 60 years and 38 patients were African-Americans. The mean distance traveled was 67.7 miles. The median overall survival was similar in African-Americans and whites. Race, distance traveled and socioeconomic status were not independent prognostic factors for overall survival. In conclusion, socioeconomic status, distance traveled and race did not affect outcomes of MM patients treated at a specialized myeloma center.     

Tuberculosis after HAART initiation in HIV-positive patients from five countries with a high tuberculosis burden

BACKGROUND: HAART reduces tuberculosis (TB) incidence in people living with HIV/AIDS but those starting HAART may develop active TB or subclinical TB may become apparent in the immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. OBJECTIVE: To measure the incidence rate of notified TB in people receiving HAART in five HIV programmes occurring in low-resource countries with a high TB/HIV burden. METHODS: A retrospective review in five Médecins Sans Frontières programmes (Cambodia, Thailand, Kenya, Malawi and Cameroon) allowed incidence rates of notified TB to be calculated based on follow-up time after HAART initiation. RESULT: Among 3151 patients analysed, 90% had a CD4 cell count of < 200 cells/mul. Median follow-up time ranged from 3.7 months in Thailand or Kenya to 11.1 months in Cambodia. Incidence rates were 7.6, 10.4, 17.6, 14.3 and 4.8/100 person-years for pulmonary TB and 12.7, 4.3, 6.9, 2.1 and 0/100 person-years for extra-pulmonary TB in the programmes in Cambodia, Thailand, Kenya, Malawi and Cameroon, respectively. Overall, 62.3% of pulmonary TB and 54.9% of extra-pulmonary TB were diagnosed within 3 months after HAART initiation. CONCLUSION: High incidence rates of notified TB under HAART in programmes held in poor-resource countries were observed; these were likely to include both undiagnosed prevalent TB at HAART initiation and subclinical TB developing during the immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. This raises operational issues concerning TB diagnosis and treatment of TB/HIV-coinfected patients and prompts for urgent TB and HIV care integration.     

Confidentiality With Adolescents in the Medical Setting: What Do Parents Think?

Purpose

When confidential health care is provided to adolescents they are more likely to seek care, disclose sensitive information, and return for future visits. Guidelines for health professionals recommend seeing young people alone to facilitate confidential care. We sought to document parental views regarding confidentiality with adolescents, aiming to identify topics that parents believe they should be informed about despite an assurance of confidentiality between their child and the doctor. We also aimed to document harms and benefits that parents associate with adolescents seeing doctors alone.

Methods

A sample of 86 parents attending an adolescent medicine clinic with their son/daughter was surveyed using a brief, anonymous questionnaire.

Results

Parents identified several benefits associated with confidential care, yet also believed they should be informed about a wide range of topics, even if their children did not want them to know. Parents' primary concern about confidentiality was a fear of not being informed about important information.

Conclusions

Parental views concerning confidentiality are complex and conflicting and differ from current guidance provided to health professionals. Ensuring that parents accurately understand the limits to confidentiality and support the notion of confidential care for their children is a challenging yet vital task for health professionals.     

Including children in medical decisions and treatments: perceptions and practices of healthcare providers

Background With growing awareness of the need to involve children in their own health‐related decisions, attention has primarily focused on the concept of assent, or a minor's participation in a research trial or experimental treatment. This study attempts to broaden that focus by examining the perceptions and practices of healthcare providers with respect to the role of children in more routine healthcare decisions and treatments. Methods In total, 103 nurses and 40 physicians who work in a hospital in Israel completed self‐administered perceptions and practices questionnaires. Results Many participants agreed that children should be included in decision making. Factors that respondents felt would influence their approach to a particular child included child behaviour (80%), child communication (66%), experience of child, parent and healthcare provider (90%) and type of medical intervention (60%). Responses differed between physicians and nurses. In response to the question ‘How often do you suggest the following methods to achieve child participation in treatment?’ most respondents reported that they provide an explanation (98%) and recruit the parents (90%). The use of play was reported by only 63% of the professionals. Conclusion This study demonstrated that many healthcare providers recognize the need to include children in routine health‐related practices and outlined factors healthcare providers use in deciding when to include children in medical decisions. Involving children in even the minute aspects of everyday decisions and treatments can allow children to feel part of the process, improve their co‐operation, increase their sense of control and affect future healthcare encounters.