AUDIT OF PATIENT ACCEPTANCE OF NASAL SURGERY AS A DAY CASE PROCEDURE

SUMMARY A greater emphasis on day case surgery within the health service is seen as a method of improving efficiency and reducing expenditure. We interviewed 90 consecutive patients undergoing nasal surgery who had been preoperatively assessed as being fit for day case surgery. They were randomised into three groups regarding the duration of postoperative nasal packing. All patients stayed overnight following surgery and were interviewed prior to discharge. Some 52% of the overall sample would be happy to have nasal surgery performed as a day case. If the nasal pack was removed after two hours, this figure rose to 67%. This difference in patient acceptance did not attain statistical significance overall, but there was a significant difference in those undergoing submucosal resection. There was no difference in the age, sex distribution or type of surgery performed between each group. The audit commission quotes patient satisfaction with day case surgery at 80%. Nasal surgery was not examined in their report, but was included as one of a set of procedures suitable for consideration. Although day case nasal surgery may be safe, further research regarding patient acceptance is required.     

The athlete’s heart: Is this an entity in paediatrics?

A case report of a boy who demonstrates features of an athlete's heart, associated with dilatation of the coronary artery, is presented. The importance of distinguishing this benign condition from pathologic causes such as cardiomyopathy, and risk of sudden death in these athletes is discussed.     

Jejunal access loop cholangiogram and intervention using image guided access

Jejunal access loop is fashioned in patients who undergo Roux en Y hepaticojejunostomy and biliary intervention is anticipated on follow up. Post-operative study of the biliary tree through the access loop is usually done under fluoroscopic guidance. We present a series of 20 access loop cholangiograms performed in our institution between August 2004 and November 2008. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the procedure and to highlight the role of CT guidance in procuring access. Access loop was accessed using CT (n = 13), ultrasound (n = 3) or fluoroscopic guidance (n = 4). Fluoroscopy was used for performing cholangiograms and interventions. Twelve studies had balloon plasty of the stricture at anastomotic site or high up in the hepatic ducts. Seven studies showed normal cholangiogram. Plasty was unsuccessful in one study. Technical success in accessing the jejunal access loop was 100%; in cannulation of anastomotic site and balloon plasty it was 95%. One case required two attempts. Procedure-related complications were not seen. All patients who underwent balloon plasty of the stricture were doing well for variable lengths of time. Access loop cholangiogram and interventions are safe and effective. CT guidance in locating/procuring the access loop is a good technique.     

What happens in the smooth muscle cell for lower vasoreactivity in severe shock

What happens in the smooth muscle cell for lower vasoreactivity in severe shock