Perspectives on "chronic Lyme disease"

There is much controversy about the treatment of Lyme disease with respect to 2 poorly defined entities: “chronic Lyme disease” and “posttreatment Lyme disease syndrome.” In the absence of direct evidence that these conditions are the result of a persistent infection, some mistakenly advocate extended antibiotic therapy (≥6 months), which can do great harm and has resulted in at least 1 death. The purpose of this brief report is to review what is known from clinical research about these conditions to assist both practicing physicians and lawmakers in making sound and safe decisions with respect to treatment.     

Radiographers in ultrasound: Motivation and role expansion. A survey of European Federation of Radiographer Societies (EFRS)

IntroductionVariability in non-medical ultrasound practice across Europe has been highlighted in studies. Meanwhile, advanced practice in radiography has undergone rapid development in the United Kingdom (UK). This survey aimed to review results relating to extended role and advanced practice skills, motivation and job satisfaction from a wider survey of radiographers undertaking ultrasound examinations across the European Federation of Radiographer Societies’ (EFRS) community.MethodsFollowing a pilot study, a SurveyMonkey™ on-line questionnaire was disseminated to EFRS member societies to share with their members, and via social media platforms. Quantitative questions for this article related to extended and advanced practice skills, communication of results, job satisfaction, motivation and career development. Theme analysis was used to assess qualitative feedback concerning priorities for future developments within the ultrasound role.ResultsThere were 561 responses, mainly from the UK, Ireland and Spain (81%). The majority (83.4%) of UK sonographers communicate findings to patients, compared with 27.1% in other EFRS countries. More engage with teaching (UK = 90.1%, non-UK 72.9%) compared with activities in the other advanced practice domains. The lowest involvement was the research domain, with only 33% actively involved in research. Radiographers were motivated to undertake ultrasound to develop their knowledge and skills and assume more responsibility.ConclusionWide variations in ultrasound practice were seen across respondent countries. Generally, radiographers are happy with their ultrasound roles, although priorities include legislation for the sonographer role, remuneration, respect or support from medical colleagues, high quality education and role progression opportunities.Implications for practiceThe findings provide a better understanding of radiographer views which can assist radiographer societies and local teams to develop strategies to enhance advanced practice skills development and career prospects in ultrasound.     

A novel method for lymphadenectomy along the left laryngeal recurrent nerve during thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma

Background

Due to limited space in the left upper mediastinum, complete dissection of lymph nodes (LN) along left recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) is difficult. We herein present a novel method for lymphadenectomy along the left RLN during thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the semi-prone position for esophageal carcinoma. The method, suspension the esophagus and push aside trachea, allows en bloc lymphadenectomy along the left RLN from the below aortic arch to the thoracic inlet.

Methods

Between September 2014 and September 2015, a total of 110 consecutive patients with esophageal carcinoma were treated with thoraco-laparoscopic esophagectomy with cervical anastomosis in the semi-prone position. Outcomes between those who received surgery with the novel method and conventional surgery were compared.

Results

Fifty patients underwent the novel method and sixty received conventional surgery. The operative field around the left RLN was easier to explore with the novel method. The estimated blood loss was less (23.7±8.2 vs. 34.2±10.3 g, P=0.001), and the number of harvested LNs along the left RLN was greater (6.4±3.2 vs. 4.1±2.8 min, P=0.028) in the novel method group, while the duration of lymphadenectomy along left RLN was longer in the novel method group (28.2±3.9 vs. 20.3±2.8 min, P=0.005). The rate of hoarseness in the novel and conventional groups was 10% and 16.7%, respectively. No significant difference in postoperative morbidity related to the left RLN was noted between the groups.

Conclusions

The novel method during semi-prone esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma is associated with better surgeon ergonomics and operative exposure.     

肥厚型梗阻性心肌病的外科治疗及围术期治疗策略

目的 总结肥厚型梗阻性心肌病（Hypertrophicobstructivecardiomyopathy,HOCM）的外科治疗效果,探讨围术期治疗策略。方法 回顾性分析2012年6月至2013年10月我院由单一术扦实施外科手术治疗的HOCM忠并75例,刃性47例（47／75,63％）,女性28例（28／75,37%）．年龄10—66（42．92±15．07）岁,术前左室流出道峰值压差（LVOTGP）为50—270（86．98±42．69）mmHg（1mmHg=0．133kPa）、令=部患行均接受室间隔心肌切除术（改良扩大Morrow术）．同期行冠状动脉旁路移植术6例,室壁确切除术1例,二尖瓣置换术4．二尖瓣成形术9,主动脉瓣置换术2,三尖瓣成形术3,先心病2例．围术期常规行心脏超声心动图、心电图及胸部X线片检查,评价超声心动图检查指标、二尖瓣的结构和功能改变。结果 全组无围术期或远期死亡。全组体外循环时间66—258（J33．00±39．83）分钟,升主动脉阻断时间45—157（84．71±25．85）分钟,机械通气时间8-396（2447±44．78）小时,术后住ICU时间1-27（299±3．23）天,术后住院时间6—35（10．20±5．31）天,术后胸腔积液12例,二次插管1例,气管切外1例,床旁血液滤过治疗1例,主动脉内球囊反搏1例,无气胸、无二次开胸探查及二次手术.术后片心房内径（37.31±4．34mm vs43．50±5．89mm,P=O．000）,左室流出道峰值压差（12．31±7.00mmHg vs 86．98±42．69mmHg,P=0．000）,室间隔厚度（15．41±5．00mmvs22．34±6．20mm．P=O．000）与术前比较均减小或降低。二尖瓣关闭好或仅有轻度反流,二尖瓣前向运动（SAM征）基本消失。术后发生的主要心律失常包括完全性左束支传导阻滞、室内传导阻滞、完全性房室传导阻滞和心房颤动等。远期随访患者症状消失或仅有轻度症状,生活质量明显改善,心动能NYHA分级级别较术前降低I—II级,无远期死亡、并发症或再次手术。结论外科室间隔心肌切除术治疗肥厚型梗阻性心肌病具有良好的手术效果,能够安全有效地解除左室流出道的梗阻,消除二尖瓣SAM征,改善临床症状。术后并发症主要为心律失常表现为传导束传导异常和心房颤动．具有较好的近远期生存率。     

The Extended Rapid Response System: 1-Year Experience in a University Hospital

The rapid response system (RRS) is an innovative system designed for in-hospital, at-risk patients but underutilization of the RRS generally results in unexpected cardiopulmonary arrests. We implemented an extended RRS (E-RRS) that was triggered by actively screening at-risk patients prior to calls from primary medical attendants. These patients were identified from laboratory data, emergency consults, and step-down units. A four-member rapid response team was assembled that included an ICU staff, and the team visited the patients more than twice per day for evaluation, triage, and treatment of the patients with evidence of acute physiological decline. The goal was to provide this treatment before the team received a call from the patient''s primary physician. We sought to describe the effectiveness of the E-RRS at preventing sudden and unexpected arrests and in-hospital mortality. Over the 1-yr intervention period, 2,722 patients were screened by the E-RRS program from 28,661 admissions. There were a total of 1,996 E-RRS activations of simple consultations for invasive procedures. After E-RRS implementation, the mean hospital code rate decreased by 31.1% and the mean in-hospital mortality rate was reduced by 15.3%. In conclusion, the implementation of E-RRS is associated with a reduction in the in-hospital code and mortality rates.

Graphical Abstract

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