Locust bean gum safety in neonates and young infants: An integrated review of the toxicological database and clinical evidence

Locust bean gum (LBG) is a galactomannan polysaccharide used as thickener in infant formulas with the therapeutic aim to treat uncomplicated gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Since its use in young infants below 12 weeks of age is not explicitly covered by the current scientific concept of the derivation of health based guidance values, the present integrated safety review aimed to compile all the relevant preclinical toxicological studies and to combine them with substantial evidence gathered from the clinical paediatric use as part of the weight of evidence supporting the safety in young infants below 12 weeks of age. LBG was demonstrated to have very low toxicity in preclinical studies mainly resulting from its indigestible nature leading to negligible systemic bioavailability and only possibly influencing tolerance. A standard therapeutic level of 0.5 g/100 mL in thickened infant formula is shown to confer a sufficiently protective Margin of Safety. LBG was not associated with any adverse toxic or nutritional effects in healthy term infants, while there are limited case-reports of possible adverse effects in preterms receiving the thickener inappropriately. Altogether, it can be concluded that LBG is safe for its intended therapeutic use in term-born infants to treat uncomplicated regurgitation from birth onwards.     

Meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis of randomized evidence comparing general anesthesia vs regional anesthesia for laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND In an effort to further reduce the morbidity and mortality profile of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the outcomes of such procedure under regional anesthesia(RA) have been evaluated. In the context of cholecystectomy, combining a minimally invasive surgical procedure with a minimally invasive anesthetic technique can potentially be associated with less postoperative pain and earlier ambulation.AIM To evaluate comparative outcomes of RA and general anesthesia(GA) in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.METHODS A comprehensive systematic review of randomized controlled trials with subsequent meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis of outcomes were conducted in line with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement standards.RESULTS Thirteen randomized controlled trials enrolling 1111 patients were included. The study populations in the RA and GA groups were of comparable age(P = 0.41),gender(P = 0.98) and body mass index(P = 0.24). The conversion rate from RA to GA was 2.3%. RA was associated with significantly less postoperative pain at 4 h [mean difference(MD):-2.22, P 0.00001], 8 h(MD:-1.53, P = 0.0006), 12 h(MD:-2.08, P 0.00001), and 24 h(MD:-0.90, P 0.00001) compared to GA. Moreover, it was associated with significantly lower rate of nausea and vomiting [risk ratio(RR): 0.40, P 0.0001]. However, RA significantly increased postoperative headaches(RR: 4.69, P = 0.03), and urinary retention(RR: 2.73, P = 0.03). The trial sequential analysis demonstrated that the meta-analysis was conclusive for most outcomes, with the exception of a risk of type 1 error for headache and urinary retention and a risk of type 2 error for total procedure time.CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that RA may be an attractive anesthetic modality for daycase laparoscopic cholecystectomy considering its associated lower postoperative pain and nausea and vomiting compared to GA. However, its associated risk of urinary retention and headache and lack of knowledge on its impact on procedure-related outcomes do not justify using RA as the first line anesthetic choice for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.     

基于顾客感知的医院服务质量满意度研究

目的 了解基于顾客感知的不同层级医院服务质量满意度情况,为医院服务质量持续改进提供参考.方法 根据PZB的服务质量模型,从有形性、可靠性、响应性、保证性、移情性5个方面设计调查问卷,于2013年4月～8月对广东省某三级医院、某二级医院的顾客进行随机抽样调查.结果 顾客对三级医院、二级医院服务质量总体比较满意,但在某些方面仍有差距,尤其是二级医院.结论 医院应重视基于顾客感知的医疗服务质量满意度,积极改进不足,努力满足顾客合理需求,促医疗服务质量不断提高.     

如何做好专科护士分级培训与管理

建立专科护士培训管理组织并明确职责,制定专科护士培训管理文件并严格执行,明确培训目标,确定专科护士分级,实施A、B、C三级专科护士培训,培训后落实动态考核并强化使用,提高了专科护士能力,稳定了专科护士队伍,促进了医院护理专科发展.     

Femoral malrotation after intramedullary nailing in obese versus non-obese patients

Objective

Intramedullary nailing (IMN) of obese patients with femoral fractures can be difficult due to soft tissue considerations and overall body habitus. Complications including malrotation can occur and have significant impact on postoperative function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate femoral rotation after intramedullary nailing of obese and non-obese patients to see if there was a difference in rotation, complications and any risk factors for malrotation.

Materials and methods

Between 2000 and 2009, 417 consecutive patients with femur fractures treated with IM nail at Level I trauma and tertiary referral center. Of these, 335 with postoperative computed tomography (CT) scanogram of the bilateral lower extremities were included in this study. Baseline demographic, perioperative and postoperative femoral version calculations were included in the dataset. Statistical analysis included chi-squared test for categorical data, t-test for continuous data, and univariate and multivariate regression analysis. Significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results

Of the 417 patients with femur fractures between 2000 and 2009, 335 met criteria for this study. There were 111 patients with a BMI <25, 129 with BMI 25–29.9, and 95 patients with a BMI >30. When BMI was categorised into 3 groups (<25, 25–29.9, or 30+), none of these groups were predictive of version in univariate or multivariate regressions. Among only obese patients (BMI 30+), BMI of 35+ was not a significant predictor of version when compared to BMI 30–34.9. There were no significant differences in femoral version based on entry point (antegrade vs. retrograde) in any BMI category. There were also no significant difference between groups of patients with a DFV of >15? (p = 0.212).

Conclusions

Based on this study, BMI did not have an effect on postoperative difference in femoral version. In fact, in our multivariate regression analysis, BMI of over 30 was actually predictive of significantly lower difference in femoral version. While other studies have documented the intraoperative difficulties encountered with obese patients with femur fractures, the outcome of femoral rotation is not affected by an increasing BMI.