Claims in total hip arthroplasty: analysis of the instigating factors,costs and possible solution

Over the years, the number of total hip replacements has been steadily increasing. Despite the improvement in surgical results, the number of claims for malpractice is higher. The primary endpoint of this work is to provide an analysis of litigation after hip replacement, to outline what are the instigating causes and costs. The secondary endpoint is to propose a possible preventive strategy for an improved care and a reduction in legal proceedings. The data of this study were collected from medical and legal files and from professional liability insurance of our institution from January 2005 to December 2016. Out of a total of 4770 THA, 40 claims were received. Peripheral nerve injuries represent the first cause of litigation (37%), followed by infectious complications, leg length discrepancy, metallosis, dislocations of the implant and a case of deep vein thrombosis. From the analysis of the past trial judgment, complications such as nerve lesions and infections are almost always recognized, as a medical error, with a high percentage of claims settled. This study shows the necessity of preventive strategies to reduce the higher number of claims for malpractice in total hip arthroplasty. Some complications such as nerve injuries and infection are frequently considered directly dependent on physician’s errors. Litigations can be reduced providing evidence of a diligent execution of the surgical procedure and of a proper postoperative management: the correct compilation of a specific informed consent and adequate doctor–patient communication.     

SWIM技术治疗后循环大血管闭塞所致急性缺血性卒中的有效性和安全性观察

目的 观察SWIM技术治疗后循环大血管闭塞所致急性缺血性卒中的有效性及安全性。 方法 回顾性分析2017年2月-2018年11月于大连市中心医院采用SWIM技术治疗的后循环大血管闭 塞所致急性缺血性卒中患者的临床资料，评价该技术的疗效和安全性，并分析影响患者预后的因素。 观察指标为术后即刻成功再通（mTICI≥2b）、90 d良好预后（mRS评分≤2分），以及术后24 h任何颅内 出血、90 d全因死亡。 结果 共纳入35例患者，平均年龄66.1±12.1岁，男性26例（74.3%），基线NIHSS评分22（15～34）分。 术后即刻成功再通率为94.3%（33/35），90 d良好预后率为45.7%（16/35），24 h颅内出血率为17.1% （6/35），90 d全因死亡率为37.1%（13/35）。单因素分析显示，基线NIHSS评分较低（P =0.001）、基 线后循环ASPECTS评分较高（P =0.016）、发病至到院时间较短（P =0.039）、发病至再通时间较短 （P =0.047）、血管成功再通率较高（P =0.036）以及饮酒比例较低（P =0.042）与良好预后相关。 结论 使用SWIM技术治疗后循环急性缺血性卒中相对安全、有效。     

A rapid and reliable procedure to localize subdural electrodes in presurgical evaluation of patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a novel method for localization of subdural electrodes in presurgical assessment of patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy. METHODS: We studied eight consecutive patients with posterior epilepsy in whom subdural electrodes were implanted for presurgical evaluation. Electrodes were detected on post-implantation brain CT scans through a semiautomated procedure based on a MATLAB routine. Then, post-implantation CT scans were fused with pre-implantation MRI to localize the electrodes in relation to the underlying cortical structures. The reliability of this procedure was tested by comparing 3D-rendered MR images of the electrodes with electrode position as determined by intraoperative digital photography. RESULTS: In each patient, all electrodes could be correctly localized and visualized in a stereotactic space, thus allowing optimal surgery planning. The agreement between the procedure-generated images and the digital photographs was good according to two independent raters. The mean mismatch between the 3D images and the photographs was 2 mm. CONCLUSIONS: While our findings need confirmation on larger samples including patients with anterior epilepsy, this procedure allowed to localize subdural electrodes and to establish the spatial relationship of each electrode to the underlying brain structure, either normal or damaged, on brain convessity, basal and medial cortex. SIGNIFICANCE: Being simple, rapid, unexpensive, and reliable, this procedure holds promise to be useful to optimize epilepsy surgery planning.     

Sensitive skin: correlation with skin surface microrelief appearance

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Sensitive skin is a condition associated with reduced tolerance to environmental factors and/or the application of topical products, such as cosmetics. Its pathophysiology has not been fully elucidated and few data are available on its prevalence. The aim of this study was to investigate possible correlation between objective sensitivity and skin surface microrelief. METHODS: During an epidemiological survey conducted for a campaign promoted by International Society of Plastic Dermatology in Italy, 243 adult healthy subjects of both sexes with no evident dermatological disorder but positive to the lactic acid stinging test, were submitted to cyanoacrylate stratum corneum stripping from the volar forearm for the determination of the irregularity of the skin surface microrelief (irregularity skin index (ISI)). RESULTS: A significant correlation was found between intensity of symptoms in stingers and ISI (r(s)=-0.47; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Sensitive skin is common in the healthy population. ISI can contribute towards the identification of subjects with sensitive skin and the development of more specific skin treatments for this prevalent condition.     

Plasma levels of neuropeptides in Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: In the central nervous system, several neuropeptides are believed to be involved in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Indeed, previous studies have documented that glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) possesses neurotropic properties and can reduce amyloid-beta peptide levels in the brain in vivo. Moreover, the concentrations of neuropeptide Y (NPY) seem to be altered in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with AD and in subjects with major depression. Finally, among the modifications induced by aging, a dysregulation of the ghrelin-growth hormone (GH) system has been reported. METHODS: We investigated the plasma concentrations of these neuropeptides in 14 subjects with AD. Data obtained from these patients were compared with data from an age- and weight-matched healthy group. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the two groups in relation to plasma levels of GLP-1, NPY, ghrelin and GH. Peripheral NPY concentrations were positively correlated with ghrelin levels in both groups, and with plasma GLP-1 concentration only in controls. CONCLUSION: On the basis of our results, peripheral levels of these neuropeptides seem not to serve as biochemical markers of AD.     

糖化血红蛋白及糖化血清蛋白与糖尿病肾功能衰竭患者的血糖监测

糖化血红蛋白(Hb)A1c是血糖监测的苇要指标,反映检测前2～3个月的平均血糖水平.慢性肾功能衰竭(CRF)患者存在贫血、酸中毒、氧化应激、胰岛素抵抗、血液透析及促红细胞生成素(EPO)的应用等因素,对HbA1c的测定会造成影响.糖化血清蛋白(GSP)反映检测前2～3周的平均血糖水平,仅受血浆蛋白的影响,几乎不受血红蛋白和EPO治疗等以上因素的影响,且对短时间内的血糖变化更为敏感.将GSP作为糖尿病肾功能衰竭患者血糖监测指标可能比HbA1c更理想.     

Intracranial tumors of the first year of life

The introduction of new diagnostic tools for neuroimaging has resulted in the early recognition of congenital brain tumors. In the present report we describe a personal series of 39 children and an International Multicenter Series of 876 children with brain tumors, in whom the diagnosis was obtained during the first 12 months of life. Most of the tumors were located within the supratentorial compartment. In spite of a relatively high operative mortality, surgery still appears to be the more effective therapy. Radiotherapy in this age group is of a scarce value, due to the vulnerability of the infantile brain. At the present time, chemotherapy still plays a controversial role.     

A Clinical Study of Reversing Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Hypertensive Patients by Adalat

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