Robotic radical parametrectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy in patients with invasive cervical cancer

ObjectiveWe describe a series of patients diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer after undergoing simple hysterectomy who subsequently underwent robotic radical parametrectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy. The goal of this study is to report on the safety and feasibility of robotic radical parametrectomy.MethodsA retrospective review was performed of all patients who underwent robotic radical parametrectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy at our institution during the period December 2006 to February 2008. We analyzed our data to evaluate the safety and feasibility of performing robotic radical parametrectomy.ResultsThis analysis included 5 patients with invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. The median body mass index was 23.8 kg/m² (range, 17.7 to 26.5). The median operative time was 365 min (range, 331 to 430). The median estimated blood loss was 100 mL (range, 50 to 175). There were no conversions to laparotomy. There was 1 intraoperative complication—cystotomy. No patient required blood transfusion. The median length of hospital stay was 1 day (range, 1 to 2). One patient experienced two postoperative complications, a vesicovaginal fistula and a lymphocyst. No patient had residual tumor in the parametrectomy specimen, and no patient underwent adjuvant therapy. The median number of pelvic lymph nodes removed was 14 (range, 6 to 16). The median follow-up for all patients was 7.5 months (range, 1.3 to 13.8). There were no recurrences.ConclusionRobotic radical parametrectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy is feasible and safe and can be performed with an acceptable complication rate.     

Mit Kiffen aufhören. Die Bereitschaft zur Verhaltensänderung bei Cannabisgebrauchenden in der Schweiz

Summary Quitting hash. The readiness for behaviour change among cannabis users in Switzerland. Objectives: The study aims to identify factors that are associated with the willingness of adolescents and young adults to modify their cannabis use. It is hypothesized that frequency of use, cannabis-related problems and age of onset are associated with their willingness to change. Methods: In 2004, a survey on cannabis use was conducted among 13 to 29 year-olds living in Switzerland. Of the 5025 participants 593 had taken cannabis during the past six months. They were then asked about their willingness to change. Three groups of users were compared: those not willing to change, those considering change, and those determined to change. Pearson Chi-square-tests and logistic regressions were performed to test the hypotheses. Results: Experience of problems motivates users to start thinking about changing their behavior. Frequent use and early onset are associated with young people not making the transition from considering changing behavior to resolving to do so. Conclusions: The need to perceive problematic use as a first step towards change and the inhibiting effect of dependencerelated factors on the transition from consideration to determination calls for tailored intervention approaches that are matched to the willingness to change. Eingereicht: 10. Dezember 2005; überarbeitet: 13. September 2006; Angenommen: 6. M?rz 2007     

Risk of Death in Comorbidity Subgroups of Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients Inferred by Routine Laboratory Markers of Systemic Inflammation on Admission: A Retrospective Study

Our study objective was to construct models using 20 routine laboratory parameters on admission to predict disease severity and mortality risk in a group of 254 hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Considering the influence of confounding factors in this single-center study, we also retrospectively assessed the correlations between the risk of death and the routine laboratory parameters within individual comorbidity subgroups. In multivariate regression models and by ROC curve analysis, a model of three routine laboratory parameters (AUC 0.85; 95% CI: 0.79–0.91) and a model of six laboratory factors (AUC 0.86; 95% CI: 0.81–0.91) were able to predict severity and mortality of COVID-19, respectively, compared with any other individual parameter. Hierarchical cluster analysis showed that inflammatory laboratory markers grouped together in three distinct clusters including positive correlations: WBC with NEU, NEU with neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), NEU with systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), NLR with SII and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) with SII. When analyzing the routine laboratory parameters in the subgroups of comorbidities, the risk of death was associated with a common set of laboratory markers of systemic inflammation. Our results have shown that a panel of several routine laboratory parameters recorded on admission could be helpful for early evaluation of the risk of disease severity and mortality in COVID-19 patients. Inflammatory markers for mortality risk were similar in the subgroups of comorbidities, suggesting the limited effect of confounding factors in predicting COVID-19 mortality at admission.     

Nonopioid perioperative analgesia in head and neck cancer surgery: A systematic review

ObjectiveManagement of postoperative pain after head and neck cancer surgery is a complex issue, requiring a careful balance of analgesic properties and side effects. The objective of this review is to discuss the efficacy and safety of multimodal analgesia (MMA) for these patients.MethodsPubmed, Cochrane, Embase, Scopus, and clinicaltrials.gov were systematically searched for all comparative studies of patients receiving MMA (nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen, anticonvulsants, local anesthetics, and corticosteroids) for head and neck cancer surgeries. The primary outcome was additional postoperative opioid usage, and secondary outcomes included subjective pain scores, complications, adverse effects, and 30‐day outcomes.ResultsA total of five studies representing 592 patients (MMA, n = 275; non‐MMA, n = 317) met inclusion criteria. The most commonly used agents were gabapentin, NSAIDs, and acetaminophen (n = 221), NSAIDs (n = 221), followed by corticosteroids (n = 35), dextromethorphan (n = 40), and local nerve block (n = 19). Four studies described a significant decrease in overall postoperative narcotic usage with two studies reporting a significant decrease in hospital time. Subjective pain scores widely varied with two studies reporting reduced pain at postoperative day 3. There were no differences in surgical outcomes, medical complications, adverse effects, or 30‐day mortality and readmission rates.ConclusionMMA is an increasingly popular strategy that may reduce dependence on opioids for the treatment of postoperative pain. A variety of regimens and protocols are available for providers to utilize in the appropriate head and neck cancer patient.     

Predictors of Adherence to an Antidepressant Medication Regimen Among Patients Diagnosed with Depression in Taiwan

This study explored the predictors of medication adherence among Taiwanese people with major depression and dysthymic disorder. Previous research indicates that depressed patients vary in compliance with their medication regimen. Poor compliance reduces the therapeutic effect of medication. Self-report questionnaires were used for this cross-sectional study conducted with 181 outpatients diagnosed with major depression or dysthymic disorder. About 50% of depressed patients reported good medication adherence. The predictors of adherence were patient income, treatment efficacy, and understanding the importance of continuing medication. Professionals should use collaborative communication and cultural values clarification with depressed patients and their families to improve the awareness of illness and to increase the likelihood of medication compliance.