A Quality and Cost-Benefit Analysis of Dialyzer Reuse in Hemodialysis Patients

Background. To evaluate the benefits of dialyzer reuse for hemodialysis (HD) patients, including the cost of HD treatment and patient's survival, a comparison was made regarding the standard practice of single-use dialysis. Methods. From January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2005, a total of 128,232 successive HD treatments in 822 patients in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center were included in this study. Results. Approximately 54.25% (446/822) of patients reused dialyzers. The average times of dialyzer reuse was 2.54. The annual hollow fiber cost is reduced by $241,054.08 U.S. dollars (NT $7,834,257.60). The annual cost of hollow fiber was reduced by $540.48 U.S. dollars (NT $17,565.60) in one patient with dialyzer reuse. The mortality rates in dialyzer reuse and single use groups were 3.1% and 10.9% within one year (p < 0.0001). Multiple logistic regressions showed that single use compared with reuse was associated with higher mortality after adjusting co-morbid conditions including age, diabetes mellitus, etc. Conclusions. We concluded that the benefits of dialyzer reuse included safety in our center and reduction in cost during a 12-month period. Dialyzer reuse may be a safe alternative.     

内镜下经口入路颌下腺切除术的临床分析

目的探讨内镜辅助经口入路颌下腺切除的有效性、安全性和可行性。方法经鼻插管全麻后，沿颌下腺导管开口至磨牙后区的下颌舌颌沟做弧形切口，内镜辅助下分别沿下颌下腺导管，切断与颌下腺有关的神经、血管、导管，将颌下腺切除。结果5例患者均顺利切除颌下腺，1例出现暂时性舌体麻木，2周后恢复。无面神经下颌缘支及舌下神经损伤,无其他并发症。颈部无瘢痕，美容效果好。结论内镜辅助下经口入路颌下腺切除术安全、可行，值得临床推广应用。