Ergonomic task analysis of ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block: a pilot study

Study Objective

To apply ergonomic task analysis to the performance of ultrasound-guided (US-guided) femoral nerve block (FNB) in an acute hospital setting.

Design

Pilot prospective observational study.

Setting

Orthopedic operating room of a regional trauma hospital.

Subjects

15 anesthesiologists of various levels of experience in US-guided FNB (estimated minimum experience < 10 procedures; maximum about 50 procedures, and from basic trainees to consultants); and 15 patients (5 men and 10 women), aged 77 ± 15 (mean ± SD yrs) years.

Measurements/Observations

A data capture “tool”, which was modified from one previously developed for ergonomic study of spinal anesthesia, was studied. Patient, operator, and heterogeneous environmental factors related to ergonomic performance of US-guided FNB were identified. The observation period started immediately before commencement of positioning the patient and ended on completion of perineural injection. Data were acquired using direct observations, photography, and application of a questionnaire.

Main Results

The quality of ergonomic performance was generally suboptimal and varied greatly among operators. Eight (experience < 10 procedures) of 15 operators excessively rotated their head, neck, and/or back to visualize the image on the ultrasound machine. Eight operators (experience < 10 procedures) performed the procedure with excessive thoracolumbar flexion.

Conclusion

Performance of US-guided FNB presents ergonomic challenges and was suboptimal during most of the procedures observed. Formal training in US-guided peripheral nerve blockade should include reference to ergonomic factors.     

Chronic myeloid leukemia within a year of kidney transplant with elevated alkaline phosphatase correlated with imatinib therapy

The incidence of certain malignancies is significantly higher after organ transplant. However, there are rare reports of chronic myeloid leukemia in the posttransplant setting. The average reported interval between a transplant and the diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia is 44 months (range, 10- 96 mo). We report 2 patients with chronic myeloid leukemia within 1 year of a kidney transplant, which is significantly shorter than those previously reported. Both patients were receiving mycophenolate mofetil and tacrolimus for immunosuppression. They were treated with imatinib for chronic myeloid leukemia, and both patients demonstrated an isolated elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase that was directly correlated with imatinib. Despite a potential interaction between the 2 drugs, blood levels of tacrolimus and imatinib were not elevated during the course of treatment. Isolated elevation of alkaline phosphatase in this particular setting has not been reported previously.     

Upper limb function improvement following total elbow arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Thirty-one primary total elbow replacements were implanted in 25 patients with rheumatoid arthritis between 2000 and 2004 by a surgeon. Twenty-six implants were GSB III. Seven were Coonrad–Morrey prostheses. The mean age of the patients was 70 years (40–88); 18 women, 6 men. DASH scores were recorded pre-operatively and at their latest review. Patients were also assessed according to the Mayo elbow performance score post-operatively. Mean follow-up was 29 months (8–55). The mean improvement in DASH (disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand) was 25 (+6 to −45). The mean Mayo score (Corectly is the Mayo Elbow Score, there is also a Mayo liver score and other scores prposed in this center) was 85 (15–100). One implant was removed following deep infection (3%). One implant has been revised secondary to ulnar component fracture. Our overall major complication rate was 7%.     

Self-assessed outcome at two to four years after shoulder hemiarthroplasty with concentric glenoid reaming

BACKGROUND: Active and young individuals with glenohumeral arthritis who are treated with total glenohumeral arthroplasty are at risk for loosening or wear of the prosthetic glenoid component. This study tests the hypothesis that patients with severe glenohumeral arthritis have improvement in self-assessed shoulder comfort and function at two to four years after treatment with the combination of humeral hemiarthroplasty and concentric glenoid reaming without tissue or prosthetic component interposition. METHODS: Thirty-seven consecutive patients (thirty-eight shoulders), with a mean age of fifty-seven years, who were managed by one surgeon were enrolled in this prospective study. The procedure consisted of an uncemented humeral hemiarthroplasty combined with reaming of the glenoid to a diameter 2 mm larger than that of the prosthetic humeral head. The duration of follow-up ranged from two to four years (average, 2.7 years) for thirty-five shoulders. Self-assessed comfort and function was documented with use of the Simple Shoulder Test, and radiographs were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty-two shoulders demonstrated improved comfort and function according to patient self-assessment, one demonstrated no change, and two had worse function following the procedure. The total number of Simple Shoulder Test functions that could be performed increased from 4.7 (of a possible 12.0) before surgery to 9.4 at the time of the final follow-up. The patients demonstrated significant improvement in ten of the twelve individual functions of the Simple Shoulder Test (p < 0.022 to p < 0.00001). With the numbers studied, gender, diagnosis, age, glenoid wear, and preoperative glenoid erosion did not significantly affect final shoulder function or overall improvement. The range of motion was significantly improved for all individuals (p < 0.00001). Radiographically, twenty-two patients had a joint space between the glenoid bone and the humeral prosthesis at the time of final follow-up. These shoulders had significantly better function than those without a preserved joint space (p < 0.017). There were no surgical complications and no revisions to total shoulder arthroplasty. CONCLUSIONS: At a minimum follow-up of two years, a selected series of patients who had humeral hemiarthroplasty with concentric glenoid reaming for the treatment of glenohumeral arthritis showed significant improvement in self-assessed shoulder comfort and function. Further study, however, is needed before routine application of this procedure can be recommended. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV.     

Consensus guidelines for sustained neuromuscular blockade in critically ill children

BACKGROUND: The United Kingdom Paediatric Intensive Care Society Sedation, Analgesia and Neuromuscular Blockade Working Group is a multidisciplinary expert panel created to produce consensus guidelines on sedation, analgesia and neuromuscular blockade in critically ill children and forward knowledge in these areas. Neuromuscular blockade is recognized as an important element in the care of the critically ill and adult clinical practice guidelines in this area have been available for several years. However, similar clinical practice guidelines have not previously been produced for the critically ill pediatric patient. METHODS: A modified Delphi technique was employed to allow the Working Group to anonymously consider draft recommendations in up to three Delphi rounds with predetermined levels of agreement. This process was supported by a total of four consensus conferences and once consensus had been achieved, a systematic review of the available literature was carried out. RESULTS: A set of consensus guidelines was produced including six key recommendations. An evaluation of the existing literature supporting these recommendations is provided. CONCLUSIONS: Multidisciplinary consensus guidelines for maintenance neuromuscular blockade in critically ill children (excluding neonates) have been successfully produced and are supported by levels of evidence. The Working Group has highlighted the paucity of high quality evidence in these important clinical areas and this emphasizes the need for further randomized clinical trials in this area.     

Central mesenteric lymph node BER-Ep4+ cells in colorectal cancer: challenge to sentinel node concept?

BACKGROUND: The role of sentinel lymph nodes in colorectal cancer remains unclear. METHODS: Cryosections from central para-aortic mesenterial lymph nodes were stained using mAb BER-Ep4. Overall survival and distant recurrence were calculated using Kaplan-Meier plots. RESULTS: All patients (n = 48) were free of distant metastases and curatively resected (R0). 23 pN0, 13 pN1 and 12 pN2 stages were found. 21/48 patients (44%) showed BER-Ep4+ cells in their central lymph nodes (7/23 pN0, 8/13 pN1, 6/12 pN2). In 6/23 pN0 patients, BER-Ep4+ cells were also found in locoregional nodes (p = 0.03, Fisher's exact test). pN status predicted overall survival (p = 0.006, Kaplan-Meier curve, log-rank test). An impact was exerted by central mesenteric BER-Ep4+ cells on overall survival (p = 0.009 in pN0 patients, p = 0.07 for all pN) and distant recurrence-free survival (p = 0.001 in pN0 patients, p = 0.007 for all pN). Multivariate analysis showed an independent prognostic effect on overall survival in pN0 patients (p = 0.022). CONCLUSION: Central lymph nodes are sentinels of disease not amenable to extended lymphadenectomy and might identify patients at risk of distant organ recurrence.     

Identification of a recurrent t(4;6) chromosomal translocation in prostate cancer

PURPOSE: We developed and describe a practical method by which primary prostate cancer specimens can be screened for recurrent chromosomal translocations, which is a potential source of fusion genes, as well as a process by which identified translocations can be mapped to define the genes involved. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A series of 7 prostate cancer cell lines and 25 transiently established primary cell cultures, which were sourced from tissue harvested at 16 radical prostatectomies and 9 channel transurethral prostate resections, were screened for chromosomal translocations using multiplex-fluorescence in situ hybridization technology. A series of fluorescence in situ hybridization based breakpoint mapping experiments were performed to identify candidate genes involved in regions associated with recurrent translocation. RESULTS: Our analysis identified the repetition of 2 translocations in prostate cancer lines, that is t(1;15) and t(4;6), at a frequency of 28% and 57%, respectively. More significantly 4 of the 25 subsequently established primary cultures (16%) also revealed a t(4;6) translocation. Using the LNCaP cell line the breakpoints involved were mapped to the t(4;6)(q22;q15) region and a number of candidate genes were identified. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the t(4;6) translocation is also a repeat event in primary cell cultures from malignant prostate cancer. Breakpoint mapping showed that the gene UNC5C loses its promoter and first exon as a direct result of the translocation in the 4q22 region. As such, we identified it as a possible contributor to a putative fusion gene in prostate cancer.     

Wound infections following open reduction and internal fixation of calcaneal fractures with an extended lateral approach

Purpose

Post-operative wound infections (PWI) following calcaneal fracture surgery can lead to prolonged hospital stay and additional treatment with antibiotics, surgical debridement or implant removal. Our aim was to determine the incidence of superficial and deep PWI and to identify risk factors (RF).

Methods

This study is a retrospective case series. All consecutive patients from 2000 to 2010 with a closed unilateral calcaneal fracture treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) by an extended lateral approach were included. Patient, fracture, trauma and peri-operative characteristics were collected, including RF such as smoking, diabetes mellitus, time to operation, pre-operative in- or outpatient management and wound closure technique. The primary end point was a PWI as defined by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Results

A total of 191 patients were included of which 47 patients (24.6 %) had a PWI; 21 (11.0 %) and 26 (13.6 %) patients had a superficial and deep wound infection, respectively. American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification higher than ASA 1 was associated with an increased risk. Placement of a closed suction drain at the end of surgery was associated with less PWI (35 % vs 15 %, p = 0.002). In this study, none of the previously reported RF were associated with an increased risk for PWI.

Conclusions

ORIF of displaced calcaneal fractures is associated with a high rate of PWI of 25 %. Factors that were associated with an increased risk were ASA classification other than 1 and absence of a closed suction drain placement. A closed suction drain may be a protective measure to avoid wound complications.     

Treatment for displaced proximal humerus fractures: comparison of interlocking plate fixation versus minimal invasive techniques

Background and purpose

The functional results and the complications following interlocking plate fixation of displaced proximal humerus fractures should be evaluated and compared with those following minimal invasive fixation techniques.

Patients and methods

Fifty patients (30 women, 20 men, mean age 62.7 (18–91) years) were treated for a displaced proximal humerus fracture using an interlocking plate fixation (PHILOS^®) between 2003 and 2004. The mean follow-up time was 12 (9–36) months. Functional and radiographic results (Constant-Murley and Neer scores) were analyzed and compared with an equivalent historical control group of 53 patients operated for the same fracture types using minimal invasive techniques (K-wires and/or cannulated screws) between 1995 and 1997. According to the OTA/AO classification, there were 15 type A, 18 type B, and 17 type C fractures in the plate fixation group, and 23, 25, and 5 of these types in the control group, respectively.

Results

The mean Neer score was 85.9, the mean Constant-Murley score 84, whereas 82.4 and 75.4 for the control group, respectively. Good and excellent results were seen in 78 %, whereas in 70 % in the control group. The results were dependent upon the fracture’s type, sex, and patient’s age. Complications were seen in 9 patients, whereas in 16 patients in the control group.

Interpretation

Using an interlocking plate, the indication of fixation of displaced proximal humerus fractures had been expanded to type C fractures. The implant failure rate can be reduced. The functional results achieved are better compared with those following minimal invasive techniques.