Finding meaning in caring for a spouse with dementia

Dementia caregiving can be burdensome with many challenges, especially for spousal caregivers who are elderly and may have limited resources and chronic conditions of their own. However, it can also be an opportunity for growth and transcendence. Thematic qualitative analysis was conducted with 11 caregiver interviews to investigate how spousal caregivers of individuals with dementia found personal meaning in their caregiving experience. Caregivers commonly had altruistic values, and the discipline to live those values. They found meaning by believing in a choice of attitude and perceiving satisfaction in living according to their values in life. They had faith in a higher power, a strong sense of love for their spouses and they derived strength from past challenges. Positive attitudes among caregivers of individuals with dementia may be enhanced by sharing these stories and strategies. Study results also provide an expansion beyond commonly held views of caregiving for nurses.     

Treatment of completely displaced supracondylar fracture of the humerus in children by cross-fixation with three Kirschner wires.

The authors investigated 63 consecutive patients (average age 6 years 6 months) who underwent cross-fixation with three Kirschner wires after reduction of a completely displaced supracondylar fracture (type 3) of the humerus. All fractures were reduced and fixed by inserting two parallel Kirschner wires in the lateral side, followed by one crossed medial Kirschner wire under fluoroscopic guidance. Lateral pins were inserted in parallel or divergent fashion to ensure stability. With a medial crossed pin insertion, the elbow was carefully extended for easy palpation and protection of the ulnar nerve without displacing the reduced fracture. Skin incision for detection of the ulnar nerve before medial Kirschner wire fixation was not required. There was no iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury caused by the Kirschner wires. The clinical outcome of the surgery after an average of 17 months was investigated: 62 (98.4%) of the 63 patients studied showed a "satisfactory" result. Cross-fixation with three Kirschner wires is considered an effective and safe method for avoiding ulnar nerve injury in the treatment of a completely displaced supracondylar fracture of the humerus in children.     

Femoral bone density changes after total hip arthroplasty with uncemented taper-design stem: a five year follow-up study

We measured bone density (BD) changes to assess adaptive bone remodelling five years after uncemented total hip arthroplasty with taper-design femoral component using quantitative computed-tomography-assisted osteodensitometry (qCT). Nineteen consecutive patients (21 hips) with degenerative joint disease were enrolled in the study. A press-fit cup and a tapered uncemented stem ceramic−ceramic pairing were used in all patients. Serial clinical, radiological and qCT osteodensitometry assessments were performed after the index operation and at the one, two and five year follow-ups. At the latest follow-up, the clinical outcome was rated satisfactory in all hips. The radiological assessment showed signs of osteointegration with stable fixation of all cups and stems. Overall, there was evidence of a BD loss at year five (p = 0.004). We estimate that BD loss was between 2.2% and 12.1% in comparison with baseline postoperative values. Progressive loss of BD in the metaphyseal region was observed in all hips. We found unremarkable BD changes of diaphyseal cortical BD throughout the five year follow-up period. qCT osteodensitometry technology allows differentiation of cortical and cancellous BD changes over time. Periprosthetic BD changes at the five year follow-up are suggestive of stable stem osteointegration with proximal femoral diaphysis load transfer and metaphyseal stress shielding.     

Spontaneous rupture of a sigmoid colon gastrointestinal stromal tumor manifesting as pneumoretroperitoneum with localized peritonitis: Report of a case

Colonic gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) account for only 5%-10% of tumors arising in the digestive tract. Spontaneous rupture is a very rare manifestation of a GIST; however, we report what to our knowledge is the first documented case of pneumoretroperitoneum caused by the rupture of a GIST. A 77-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with acute abdominal pain and hematochezia. Colonoscopy showed luminal narrowing in the sigmoid colon, but no definite mucosal defect. Computed tomography (CT) showed an air-containing heterogeneous mass, 9.7 × 9.3 cm, in the pelvic cavity and a small amount of air in the retroperitoneum. Emergency laparotomy revealed a ruptured sigmoid colonic GIST with localized peritonitis. Pathologic examination confirmed that the tumor was composed mainly of round epithelioid cells. It was immunohistochemically positive for CD34 and negative for C-kit protein. This report describes how we successfully managed pneumoretroperitoneum with localized peritonitis caused by the spontaneous rupture of an epithelioid GIST originating from the sigmoid colon.     

Endoscopic Evaluation of the Quality of the Anastomosis After Esophagectomy with Gastric Tube Reconstruction

BACKGROUND: The morbidity and mortality of anastomotic complications after esophagectomy have gradually decreased in recent years. However, swallowing difficulties and reflux continue to burden patients jeopardizing their quality of life. In the present study we performed endoscopic evaluation of the outcomes of esophagogastrostomy by analyzing the presence of anastomotic stenosis and reflux esophagitis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out on 74 patients who underwent esophagogastrostomy after esophagectomy by one surgeon between January 1995 and December 2004. Fifty-three patients had an endoscopic examination during follow-up (29 +/- 23.6 months, range = 5-111 months). Reflux esophagitis and stenosis at the anastomostic site were analyzed according to the surgical technique used and the location of the esophagogastrostomy. RESULTS: The mean age at the time of repair was 60.3 +/- 8.87 (range = 39-81) years. Cervical anastomosis was performed in 26 patients and intrathoracic anastomosis in 27 patients. No significant statistical difference in the frequency of anastomotic stenosis was observed between the two groups (p = 0.829); reflux esophagitis was noted in three patients in the cervical anastomosis group and in 14 patients in the intrathoracic anastomosis group (p = 0.041). For all patients, 23 received a hand-sewn esophagogastric anastomosis and 30 a circular stapled one. There was no significant statistical difference in anastomotic stenosis (p = 0.689) and reflux esophagitis (p = 0.879) in comparisons between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Cervical anastomosis resulted in a better outcome for esophagogastrostomy by lowering the risk of reflux esophagitis; this outcome might improve the patient's quality of life.