Patient-oriented outcomes from low back surgery: a community-based study

STUDY DESIGN: This study used a prospective cohort design. OBJECTIVE: To examine factors associated with favorable self-reported patient outcomes 1 year after elective surgery for degenerative back problems. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Many previous studies addressing the results of low back surgery have been conducted in academic institutions or by single surgeons. As part of a quality improvement effort, surgeons in private practice led a community-based outcomes management project in Washington State. METHODS: Patients ages 18 and older with the following diagnoses were eligible for the study: degenerative changes, herniated disc, instability, and spinal stenosis. Nine orthopedists and neurosurgeons enrolled a total of 281 patients. Participants were asked to complete baseline and 1-year follow-up surveys. Data concerning diagnoses, clinical signs, and operative procedures were provided by the surgeons. The researchers examined sociodemographic characteristics, self-reported symptoms before surgery, preoperative clinical signs, diagnoses, and operative procedures associated with three primary outcomes: better functioning, improved quality of life, and overall treatment satisfaction. RESULTS: Follow-up surveys were completed by 236 (84%) of the enrolled patients. Approximately two thirds of the study participants reported much better functioning (65%), a great quality of life improvement (64%), and a very positive perspective about their treatment outcome (68%). The following variables were associated with worse patient outcomes: older age, previous low back surgery, workers' compensation coverage, and consultation with an attorney before surgery. Patients undergoing a fusion procedure were more likely to report good outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The authors' experience indicates that community-based outcomes data collection efforts are feasible and can be incorporated into usual clinical practice. The study results indicate that compensation payments and litigation are two important predictors of poor outcomes after low back surgery in community practice.Because of small numbers, varied diagnoses, and possible selection bias, the findings with respect to fusion should be interpreted cautiously.     

Radiographic evidence and surgical confirmation of a saccular aneurysm on a hypoplastic duplicated A1 segment of the anterior cerebral artery: case report

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: True duplication of the A1 segment of the anterior cerebral artery is extremely rare, as is finding a true A1 segment saccular aneurysm. We report the angiographic and surgical findings of such a case with the additional association of a hypoplastic ipsilateral M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 68-year-old man presented with a Hunt and Hess Grade II subarachnoid hemorrhage and symptoms of headache, nuchal rigidity, and facial paresis. INTERVENTION: Angiographic evaluation with superselective exploration revealed a small ruptured aneurysm located on a duplicated hypoplastic A1 segment of the left anterior cerebral artery with associated middle cerebral artery stenosis and secondary early moyamoya changes. Surgical clipping of the aneurysm was performed successfully while sparing the hypoplastic A1 segment. CONCLUSION: A1 aneurysms occurring on a duplicated anterior cerebral artery segment probably develop from a congenital weakness of the parent vessel and increased local shear stress. Superselective angiography was helpful in the preoperative planning and facilitated the decision to treat with surgical clipping instead of embolization.     

Association between Streptococcus milleri and abscess formation after appendicitis

Abscesses after appendicitis occur in some patients despite timely surgery and antibiotics. The Streptococcus milleri group of bacteria are commonly associated with gastrointestinal abscesses. This study investigated the relationship between S. milleri and abscess formation after appendicectomy a total of 301 patients (172 males, 129 females, median age 22 years) with appendicitis were identified retrospectively from the hospital PAS computer system who had an appendicectomy and peritoneal bacteriology swabs taken. All but one patient had prophylactic antibiotics. Patients were divided into three groups according to peritoneal bacteriology: group 1 (S. milleri +/- mixed faecal organisms, n = 61); group 2 (mixed faecal organisms, n = 126); and group 3 (sterile, n = 114). The chi squared and Student t-tests were used for statistical analysis. Thirteen (21%) of group 1 patients developed an intra-abdominal abscess compared with 4 (3%) in group 2 and 2 (1.7%) in group 3 (P < 0.0001). There was no difference in the prevalence of gangrenous or perforated appendicitis between groups 1 and 2 (56% versus 52%) but these worse forms of appendicitis were less common in group 3 (22%). Group 1 patients had a mean total hospital stay of 10 days versus 6 days for group 2 and 4 days for group 3 (P < 0.001). S. milleri was associated with a 7-fold increase in abscess formation after appendicectomy and a longer hospital stay. Antibiotic prophylaxis did not prevent this complication.     

Treatment of 116 cases of facial pigmented spots by auricular needle-embedding method

以耳穴子宫、神门、内分泌、肺为主穴,根据辨证选取配穴,埋针治疗面部色素斑患者116例,全部治愈.     

Dr. YIN Ming＇s Experience in Treating Pediatric Diseases

Dr. YIN Ming is skilled at the pediatric diseases and wins the trust from her patients and their families. I learned a lot from the clinical practice with her and now the experience is as follows.     

Observation on therapeutic effect of cold moxibustion on rheumatoid interphalangeal arthritis

目的:观察冷灸对类风湿性指间关节炎的临床疗效.方法:将576例类风湿性指间关节炎随机分为冷灸组290例和对照组286例,治疗时间为2个月.结果:两者总有效率差异不明显,但在第2个疗程末前者完全缓解率达77.2%,后者仅23.4%,两者差异有显著意义(P＜0.005).结论:冷灸治疗类风湿性指间关节炎效果优于西药抗炎剂.     

Clinical analysis of knee osteoarthritis treated mainly by acupuncture

目的:了解不同治疗方法对膝关节骨关节炎的临床治疗效果.方法:对148例患膝随机分为4组进行针灸、中药频谱照射法、综合法、西药内服治疗,观察其疗效.结果:4组总有效率分别为78.9%,72.7%,92.3%和78.9%,各组之间无差异(P＞0.05).综合组显效率优于其他各组(P＜0.05).结论:针灸、中药频谱照射对膝骨关节炎有一定疗效,综合法能协同两者作用,使疗效提高.     

Treatment of 30 cases of vitiligo by cupping method plus external application of Chinese herbs

在皮损区拔罐,然后外涂中药治疗白癜风患者30例,对照组予西药治疗,3个疗程后,治疗组总有效率96.7%,对照组总有效率76.7%.治疗组疗效好于对照组(P＜0.05).     

Treatment of 30 cases of rheumatoid arthritis by needle-warming therapy

取双侧肾俞、足三里和曲池,进行温针,并配合内服中药治疗类风湿性关节炎患者30例,以西药常规治疗30例为对照.治疗3个月后,两组有效率分别为86.7%和60.0%,疗效差异有统计意义(P＜0.05).