Continuous monitoring tools for pediatric surgical outcomes: an example using biliary atresia

Purpose

Continuous monitoring tools can be used to monitor surgical outcomes over time. We illustrate the use of CUmulative SUM (CUSUM) charts in monitoring outcomes of Kasai portoenterostomy for treatment of biliary atresia at a supraregional unit.

Methods

Data on 57 consecutive infants who underwent a Kasai portoenterostomy performed by a single surgeon between June 1994 and June 2006 were collected. A procedure was defined as successful if clearance of jaundice (plasma bilirubin level <20 μmol/l) was achieved within 6 months of surgery. We applied cumulative observed-minus-expected, sequential probability ratio test (SPRT), and zero-resetting SPRT CUSUM charts and compared the results with those of standard aggregate data analyses. An expected failure rate of 43.0%, based on the national average failure rate, was used.

Results

The failure rate observed after 57 operations was 29.8%. The zero-resetting SPRT chart indicated a lower-than-expected failure rate earlier than did the aggregate data analyses and any of the other continuous monitoring techniques.

Conclusions

The CUSUM chart method provides ongoing feedback that can be used for continuous monitoring of the outcome of a procedure to ensure that standards of care are maintained. Its use as a routine monitoring tool in pediatric surgery deserves wider recognition.     

A comparative study of masticatory performance in complete denture patients before and after application of soft liner

BackgroundTo compare the masticatory performance in complete denture patients before and after application of soft liner and to assess the effect of aging of soft liner on masticatory performance at different intervals of time.MethodsA total of 30 complete denture wearers between age of 64 and 80 years, were selected from both the sex (20 men, 10 women). This study evaluated the effect of before and after application of chair-side soft liner on masticatory performance of complete denture wearers by using raw carrots and roasted peanut as the test food. This study further evaluated the cushioning effect of chair-side soft liner material at the interval period of 1week, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 16 weeks.ResultsThere were significant differences in masticatory performance without soft liner as compared to with soft liner at different intervals of time. The performance was found to be significantly higher for raw carrot as compared to roasted peanut (p < 0.001). For both the materials peak performance was recorded at 4th week.ConclusionThe use of soft liner helps in increasing the masticatory performance among complete denture wearers.     

Return to sport and beyond following intramuscular tendon hamstring injury: A case report of an English Premier League football player

BackgroundHamstring strain injuries are the most common type of injury in elite football and are associated with a high risk of reinjury, particularly those involving the intramuscular tendon (IMT). Limited information is available regarding the rehabilitation and return to sport (RTS) processes following such injuries. This case study describes the clinical presentation of an elite football player following IMT hamstring injury, their on- and off-pitch rehabilitation alongside performance monitoring throughout RTS and beyond.Case scenarioAn elite football player suffered a grade 2c hamstring injury during an English Premier League (EPL) match. The player underwent early post-injury management, alongside progressive off-pitch physical preparation. The ‘control-chaos continuum’ was used as a framework for on-pitch rehabilitation to prepare the player for a return to full team training and competition. Objective and subjective markers of the player's response to progressive on- and off-pitch loading were monitored throughout RTS and beyond.OutcomesThe player returned to on-pitch rehabilitation after 11 days, to full team training having achieved weekly pre-injury chronic running load outputs after 35 days and played in the EPL 40 days post-injury. The player did not suffer reinjury for the rest of the EPL season.ConclusionAn understanding the unique structural and mechanical properties of the IMT, alongside expected RTS timeframes are important to inform rehabilitation and decision-making processes post-injury. Performance and frequent load-response monitoring throughout RTS and beyond, in conjunction with practitioner experience and effective communication are critical in facilitating effective RTS and reduce risk of reinjury following IMT injury.     

Photodynamic therapy during second surgery for recurrent gliomas improves survival

BackgroundGlioma accounts for most central nervous system tumors, and the degree of invasion and malignancy are higher in the recurrent glioma. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an effective strategy in glioma. This study aimed to explore the risk factors for re-recurrence after a second glioma surgery and the effects of PDT on re-recurrence.MethodsThis was a retrospective study in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University in China, and 43 patients that received the secondary surgery for recurrent glioma were included. The Kaplan-Meier test and Cox proportional hazard method were used to analyze.ResultsThe total re-recurrence rate after the second surgery for recurrent glioma was 48.84%. When the age increased by 1, the risk of re-recurrence increased 1.065 times (95% CI 1.000–1.134, P = 0.049). High matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 expression was associated with a significantly higher risk of re-recurrence than low MMP2 expression (HR = 25.550, 95% CI 3.190–204.650, P = 0.002). Pathological grades IV and III were associated with a significantly higher risk of re-recurrence than pathological grade II (HR = 17.121, 95% CI 2.345–124.986, P = 0.005; HR = 2863.470, 95% CI 100.697–81,427.197, P < 0.001). PDT decreased the risk of re-recurrence (HR = 25.550, 95% CI 3.190–204.650, P = 0.002) and increased survival time (HR = 3.611, 95% CI 1.012–12.888, P = 0.048).ConclusionThe age, MMP2 expression, and pathological grade are independent risk factors for re-recurrence after a second surgery for recurrent glioma. PDT during the second surgery decreased the risk of re-recurrence and increased survival time.     

Residual limb strength and functional performance measures in individuals with unilateral transtibial amputation

BackgroundIndividuals with lower limb amputation exhibit lower residual limb strength compared to their sound limb. Deficits in residual limb knee flexion and extension strength may impact functional performance during tasks relevant to daily living.Research questionDoes knee flexor and extensor strength in the residual limb impact functional outcome measures, such as walking energetics and performance metrics, in individuals with unilateral transtibial amputation?MethodsFourteen individuals with traumatic unilateral transtibial amputation were recruited for this observational study. Participants completed metabolic testing at three standardized speeds based on leg length, as well maximum isokinetic knee flexion and extension strength for both residual and sound limbs. Participants also completed a series of functional outcome tests, including a two-minute walk test, timed stair ascent test, and four-square step test. Walking energetics (metabolic cost, heart rate, and rating of perceived exertion) and performance metrics were compared to percent deficit of residual limb to sound limb knee flexion and extension muscle strength. A linear regression assessed significant relationships (p < 0.05).ResultsA significant relationship was observed between percent deficit of knee extension strength and heart rate (p = 0.024) at a fast walking speed. Additionally, percent deficit knee flexion strength related to rating of perceived exertion at slow and moderate walking speeds (p = 0.038, p = 0.024). Percent deficit knee extension strength related to two-minute walk time performance (p = 0.035) and percent deficit knee flexion strength related to timed stair ascent time (p = 0.025).SignificanceThese findings suggest the importance of strength retention of the residual limb knee flexion and extension musculature to improve certain functional outcomes in individuals with unilateral transtibial amputation.     

Correlation between Braden Scale and Palliative Performance Scale in advanced illness

This study describes the significant correlation between the Braden Scale (BS) and the Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) in patients with advanced illness that has not been previously reported. The analysis was based on a prospective sequential case series of 664 patients suffering from advanced illness who were referred to a regional palliative medicine programme in Toronto, Canada. Baseline BS and PPS scores assessed within 24 hours of referral were considered for analysis. After controlling for age, gender, consult site and diagnosis (cancer versus non cancer), we observed a significant positive correlation between baseline PPS and BS scores (r = 0·885, P < 0·001). These findings suggest that for patients with advanced illness where BS is not routinely used, PPS could be considered as a proxy for pressure ulcer risk assessment.     

家庭医生团队下家庭医生助理的服务模式研究

背景　在加速推进家庭医生责任制服务进程中,为家庭医生配置类似助手的角色,可有效提升家庭医生的服务效率,该助手角色通常被称为家庭医生助理。上海、北京等社区卫生服务中心已经构建了以家庭医生为核心和责任主体的、护士作为主要助理人员的服务模式。但对于家庭医生团队的核心人员结构、家庭医生助理的人员特征、工作范围和薪酬体制等还缺少统一的标准。目的　了解国内外家庭医生助理的服务模式运行现况,为我国家庭医生助理的服务模式建设提供借鉴。方法　于2019年11月5-20日,选择PubMed、ScienceDirect、中国知网（CNKI）和万方数据知识服务平台为文献搜索引擎,在数据库中检索与家庭医生助理模式（包括家庭医生助理的人员配置及人员特征、主要职责及服务内容、绩效考核方式及分配方式等）相关的文献,检索时间范围为2009-2019年,检索词（主题词或关键词）为“family physician assistant”OR“general practitioner assistant”OR“全科医生助理”OR“家庭医生助理”OR“家庭医生”AND“助理”OR“全科医生”AND“助理”。通过评阅文献内容,总结国内外家庭医生助理模式开展现状。结果　阅读全文后最终获得符合要求的文献47篇,其中英文文献31篇,中文文献16篇。家庭医生助理主要由专职医生助理、护士、公共卫生医生、乡村医生、“3+2”助理全科医生担任;人员特征方面,国外的医生助理通常为接受过“医生助理”项目培训并取得相应资格或学历的专业人员;中国承担家庭医生助理的专职医生助理主要由非医学专业人员经过岗位培训后担任,担任家庭医生助理的护士、公共卫生医生和乡村医生都是由社区卫生服务中心在岗的卫生专业人员兼任。家庭医生助理的职责范围在不同国家有不同的规定,主要包括患者治疗方案的实施、健康管理、健康宣教、患者分诊、健康初步评估、慢性病随访等。在绩效考核方式方面,国外家庭医生助理一般由机构根据统一的考核指标体系进行考核,或由家庭医生直接对助理进行考核;中国家庭医生助理的绩效考核方式包括二级考核,机构质控部门统一考核,涉及全中心的工作内容由机构统一考核、与家庭医生工作相关内容由家庭医生考核。结论　国内外家庭医生助理在人员特征、主要职责和绩效考核分配方式上存在较大差异,建议构建以“全科医生+护士/乡村医生”或“全科医生+专职助理”为核心人员的家庭医生服务团队,分类设立家庭医生助理的岗位职责和服务内容,建立以“医疗技术的复杂程度”“服务质量”“工作数量”作为主要绩效考核指标的薪酬分配制度。