Addressing health disparities in the Food and Drug Administration’s artificial intelligence and machine learning regulatory framework

The exponential growth of health data from devices, health applications, and electronic health records coupled with the development of data analysis tools such as machine learning offer opportunities to leverage these data to mitigate health disparities. However, these tools have also been shown to exacerbate inequities faced by marginalized groups. Focusing on health disparities should be part of good machine learning practice and regulatory oversight of software as medical devices. Using the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)''s proposed framework for regulating machine learning tools in medicine, I show that addressing health disparities during the premarket and postmarket stages of review can help anticipate and mitigate group harms.     

Functional and radiographic results in partial unipolar hip joint arthroplasty after 6-15 years

Due to extreme conditions during civil war in early 1990's we were forced to deviate from accepted guidelines in treatment of intracapsular fractures of the femoral neck. Therefore, majority of patients were treated non-operatively. In those that were subjected to surgery, unipolar hemiarthroplasty was treatment of choice, since conditions permitted us to attempt osteofixation in very few, youngest of our patients. As a result of this practice born of necessity, we can now look back and learn from this unique experience.     

Posterior femoral cortex perforation unrecognised during arthroscopic LCA reconstructive surgery

One of the most important technical demands in ACL surgery is good fixation of the graft. Integrity of the posterior femoral cortex is necessary for Interference screws fixation. The femoral tunnel, placed as posterior as possible, is also mandatory for good graft position and potentially leads to violation of the cortex. The divergence between screw and tunnel could result in perforation of the posterior wall. Without intraoperative x-ray it is difficult to be sure that position of the screw is correct, even with good graft tension. Still, the problem exists with absorbable screws. The aim of the study is to show results of 6 patients with this complication treated without revision of the femoral fixation with mean follow up of 1.5 year. Potential pitfall in ACL reconstruction is posterior cortex breakout and loss of fixation. If it is recognized during surgery changing the type of fixation can solve the problem, but if not, in the early phase of rehabilitation and weight bear, graft failure is feasible. The tibia tunnel angle and length, the footprint of femoral tunnel reamer and hyper flexion of the knee during screw insertion are methods for preventing the breakout of the posterior wall and screw-tunnel divergence. Modification of the early postoperative treatment and less aggressive rehabilitation protocol reduced the need for revision surgery. Even with best surgical technique, skill and experience this complication is possible to occur.     

Preoperative preparation of pregnant women

All the elective surgeries are to be avoided during pregnancy and pregnant women should undergo only emergency surgical interventions. Pregnancy is associated with different physiological changes in the organism, which should be taken into account in preparative preparation of the pregnant women. Expanded body fluid volume leads to dilutional anemia, however other hematological disorders may be present as well. Extreme obesity is a frequent comorbidity, while hypertension is associated with the highest risks since it may lead to a life-threatening complication--eclampsia. As for other coexisting diseases, urinary tract infections and gestational diabetes are the most common as well as hyperthyroidism and other diseases that may also develop. The type and severity of the acute surgical disease, extensiveness of the planned surgery as well as the type of planned anesthesia to be applied, occasionally necessitate, depending on the gestational age, termination of pregnancy to be considered. Gynecological-obstetric consultations are mandatory in all surgical interventions planned in pregnant women.     

Psychosexual outcomes in women of reproductive age at more than two-years from excisional cervical treatment – a cross-sectional study

Purpose: To investigate the long-term psychosexual outcomes in women following excisional cervical treatment.

Materials and methods: Women with cold-knife conization (CKC) or large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) treatment were interviewed after a follow-up colposcopy visit. Their demographics, treatment and psychosexual characteristics were recorded.

Results: One hundred and forty six women with a mean age of 35.2?±?5.4 years underwent either LLETZ (68.5%) or CKC (31.5%) treatment within 4.7?±?2.7 years (range: 2–15) before the interview. 27.4% of women were less interested in sexual intercourse following treatment in comparison with their interest before. Those women with less interest in sexual intercourse after treatment had higher anxiety and depression scores and were more worried about disease progression. Women with post-treatment complications were at risk of less interest in sexual intercourse and of greater anxiety and depression. Women with abnormal smears at follow-up were at risk of greater anxiety. The type of treatment and grade of dysplasia did not affect their interest in sexual intercourse or the anxiety and depression scores.

Conclusions: Approximately, one-third of women at more than two years post-treatment may suffer from less interest in sexual intercourse, have relatively greater anxiety and depression, and might still be concerned about the possibility of disease progression.