Factors associated with return to work of breast cancer survivors: a systematic review

Background

The breast cancer survival rate is the highest among all types of cancers, and survivors returning to work after completing treatment is extremely important in regards to economy and rehabilitation. The aim of this systematic review study is to identify the prevalence of breast cancer survivors who return to work (RTW) and the factors associated to RTW.

Methods

A computer based literature search was carried out. "PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, and Science Direct" databases were searched systematically. Our search strategy identified a total of 12,116 papers of which 26 studies met the inclusion criteria and quality assessment. These were original papers published between January 2003 and January 2013.

Results

The trends in RTW differ among countries for the breast cancer survivors. The time to RTW after successful cancer treatment also varies among the countries and by ethnicity. The prevalence of the RTW varies from 43% to 93% within one year of diagnosis. The prevalence of the RTW for the Netherland is the lowest in the world (43%). The United States survivors showed the highest RTW (93%) within 12 months of the diagnosis. Numerous barriers and facilitators were identified as factors that affect RTW. For instance, socio-demographic factors such as education and ethnicity; treatment oriented factors such as chemotherapy; work related factors such as heavy physical work; disease related factors such as poor health condition and fatigue; and psychological factors such as depression and emotional distress, act as barriers of RTW. In contrast, social, family, employer support, and financial independency emerge as key facilitators in enabling breast cancer survivors to return and continue work.

Conclusion

Minimising these identified barriers and strengthening these facilitators could further improve the work condition and increase the percentage of RTW among the breast cancer survivors.

     

层流GICU物体表面消毒方法的比较及菌群检测

目的比较两种消毒剂对层流综合重症监护病房（GICU）高频接触物体表面的抑菌效果,为层流GICU选择合理的物体表面消毒方法提供临床依据;了解物体表面细菌的污染情况,为预防控制感染提供理论依据。方法对层流GICU住院患者床档、床头桌的物体表面（常规消毒前）,采集样本做细菌培养、鉴定,以了解层流GICU物体表面菌群分布。分别采用含有效氯500 mg/L消毒剂（常规组）、伽玛TM消毒湿巾（对照组）对层流GICU床单位周围物体表面进行消毒,比较两种消毒方法在消毒后的抑菌率和物体表面细菌总数合格率。结果常规消毒前共采集200份物体表面样本,分离细菌87株,细菌污染率43.50%。检出革兰阳性菌68株（78.16%）,以棒状杆菌（18株,26.47%）、金黄色葡萄球菌（16株,23.53%）、表皮葡萄球菌（16株,23.53%）为主;革兰阴性杆菌19株（21.84%）,以鲍曼不动杆菌为主（12株,63.16%）。进行物体表面消毒后10 min的抑菌率,常规组为（94.89±7.72）%,对照组为（96.33±12.88）%,两组差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;两组物体表面细菌总数合格率均为100%。结论定期对层流GICU住院患者床单位周围物体表面进行检测、消毒,并规范医护人员的操作及手卫生执行力,是切断细菌传播,预防医院感染简单、有效的方法。     

北京市生活垃圾填埋场全密闭化工艺研究

针对北京市生活垃圾填埋场全密闭化改造工程和运行现状,总结了生活垃圾卫生填埋场全密闭化工艺的要点,分析了全密闭化作业的步骤和问题。     

Gonocyte transformation to spermatogonial stem cells occurs earlier in patients with undervirilisation syndromes

Aim

Fertility post-orchidopexy is dependent on transformation of neonatal gonocytes (G) into adult dark spermatogonia at about 3 months, the same time as gonadotrophins stimulate androgen secretion. We examined how androgen blockade affects transformation of gonocytes to spermatogonial stem cells (SSC) during this period in patients with undervirilisation syndromes.

Methods

Patients with undervirilisation syndromes (n = 30, 1.5 weeks–16 years) underwent review of medical records, pathology reports, and H&E slides of testes (ethics HREC32164). Fluorescent immunohistochemistry against anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH, Sertoli cells), mouse VASA homologue (MVH, germ cells) and DAPI (nuclei) allowed the number of MVH-positive gonocytes/spermatogonial stem cells per seminiferous tubular cross-section (G/T or SSC/T) to be counted.

Results

Gonocytes (MVH-positive cells in the tubular lumen) were present in 15/16 patients under 2 years old. SSC (MVH-positive cells on the tubule basement membrane) were present in 25/30 patients. With increasing age, the mean number of SSC/T decreased from ~ 4 to 0, and G/T decreased from ~ 1.5 to 0. SSC were present in CAIS and PAIS patients at 1.5 and 3.5 weeks old, respectively.

Conclusions

Gonocytes transform into SSC earlier than expected in patients with undervirilisation syndromes. Lack of androgens may stimulate non-androgenic regulators to trigger transformation. Understanding how gonocytes transform may enable optimization of spermatogonial development to preserve fertility post-orchidopexy.     

Reduction of alkaline reflux gastritis and marginal ulcer by modified Braun enteroenterostomy in gastroenterologic reconstruction after pancreaticoduodenectomy

Background

The incidence of alkaline reflux gastritis (ARG) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is high. Although Braun enteroenterostomy (BEE) may reduce ARG, BEE may result in marginal ulcers (MUs) due to the additional anastomotic stoma. We conducted this study to compare clinical outcomes of using a modified BEE (MBEE) with traditional gastrojejunostomy (TGJ), by inducting a purse-string suture instead of an additional anastomotic stoma.

Materials and methods

All 62 patients underwent standard PD at the Department of Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery of West China Hospital between January 1, 2008 and January 31, 2012. Demographics, perioperative and postoperative factors, and follow-up morbidity were compared in those patients who underwent MBEE (n = 32, three patients were lost to follow-up) to those who underwent TGJ (n = 30, nine patients were lost to follow-up).

Results

Patients who underwent the MBEE experienced a decrease in total morbidity including ARG and MUs, relative to those who underwent TGJ (24.1% versus 58.3%, P = 0.011). With regard to the MBEE group, the total ARG rate was statistically significantly lower compared with the TGJ group (13.8% versus 37.5%, P = 0.046). In addition, the incidence of MUs was reduced.

Conclusions

In patients undergoing PD, the MBEE was safely performed with significantly more patients having reduced incidence of ARG and related sequela compared with those who underwent TGJ. These results support further study of patients undergoing gastroenterostomy after resection of the distal stomach in larger, randomized studies.     

Mesh Migration Into Urinary Bladder After Open Ventral Herniorrhaphy With Mesh: A Case Report

Ventral hernia repair with mesh products is of increasing popularity. The long-term results of mesh repair of ventral hernia are superior to primary suture repair. However, occasional complications may still present. We report on a 77-year-old man who underwent ventral hernia repair with a mesh 5 years ago with complication of mesh migration into the urinary bladder and enterovesical fistula. The patient presented with lower urinary tract symptoms initially. By urinalysis, persistent hematuria and pyuria were found after antibiotic treatment. For further investigation of hematuria, intravenous urography was performed, which revealed a faint radio-opaque patch at the right pelvis. To obtain a more precise relationship between the lesion and the adjacent organs, computed tomography and cystoscopy were arranged. They confirmed a mesh with stone formation in the urinary bladder. To remove the mesh, segmental resection of the ileum and cystorrhaphy were performed.Key words: Incisional hernia, Surgical mesh, Complications, Urinary Bladder CalculiPrimary repair of ventral hernia with component separation is still the major repair method. There is increasing popularity of ventral hernia repair with mesh products. The long-term results of mesh repair of ventral hernia are superior to primary suture repair.^1,2 However, occasional complications may still occur. Mesh migration to adjacent organs is one of the complications. It has been reported in some patients with a surgical history of either open or laparoscopic herniorrhaphy with mesh.^3–8 In this case report, a 77-year-old man, who underwent ventral hernia repair with mesh before, had the complication of mesh migration into the urinary bladder and enterovesical fistula with the initial presentation of lower urinary tract symptoms.     

Feasibility and safety of single-incision laparoscopic splenectomy: a systematic review

Objective

The aim of this review was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and potential benefits of single-incision laparoscopic splenectomy (SILS-Sp).

Methods

We conducted a systemic review of literature between 2009 and 2012 to retrieve all relevant articles.

Results

A total of 29 studies with 105 patients undergoing SILS-Sp were reviewed. Fifteen studies used a commercially available single-port device. The range of body mass index was 14.7–41.4 kg/m². Six studies described combined operations including cholecystectomy (n = 8), mesh-pexy (n = 1), and pericardial devascularizaion (n = 1). The ranges of operative times and estimated blood losses were 28–420 min and 0–350 mL, respectively. Of 105 patients, three patients (2.9%) required additional ports, two patients (1.9%) were converted to open, and three patients (2.9%) to conventional multiport laparoscopic splenectomy (overall conversion rate, 4.8%). Postoperative bleeding occurred in two patients (1.9%) who both required reoperation. Overall mortality was 0% (0/105). The length of postoperative stay varied across reports (1–11 d). Among four comparative studies, one showed greater estimated blood loss and lower numeric pain rating scale score in the SILS-Sp group than in the multiport laparoscopic splenectomy group (206.25 ± 142.45 versus 111.11 ± 99.58 mL) and (3.81 ± 0.91 versus 4.56 ± 1.29), respectively. Another comparative study showed that SILS-Sp was associated with a shorter operative time (92.5 versus 172 min; P = 0.003), lower conversion rate, equivalent length of hospital stay, reduced mortality, similar morbidity, and comparable postoperative narcotic requirements.

Conclusions

In early series of highly selected patients, SILS-Sp appears to be feasible and safe when performed by experienced laparoscopic surgeons. However, as an emerging operation, publication bias is a factor that should be considered before we can draw an objective conclusion.