Contemporary Epidemiology of and Risk Factors Associated with Removal of a Pathologically Normal Appendix in Children with Suspected Appendicitis

BackgroundThe goal of this study was to characterize contemporary performance benchmarks and risk factors associated with negative appendectomy (NA) in children with suspected appendicitis.MethodsA multicenter retrospective cohort analysis of children undergoing appendectomy for suspected appendicitis was performed using data from the 2016–2021 NSQIP-Pediatric Appendectomy Targeted Public Use Files. Multivariable regression was used to evaluate the influence of year, age, sex, and WBC count on NA rate, and to generate rate estimates for NA based on different combinations of demographic characteristics and WBC profiles.Results100,322 patients were included from 140 hospitals. The overall NA rate was 2.4%, and rates decreased significantly during the study period (2016: 3.1% vs. 2021: 2.3%, p < 0.001). In adjusted analyses, the highest risk for NA was associated with a normal WBC (<9000/mm³; OR 5.31 [95% CI: 4.87–5.80]), followed by female sex (OR 1.55 [95% CI: 1.42–1.68]) and age <5 years (OR 1.64 [95% CI 1.39, 1.94]). Model-estimated risk for NA varied significantly across demographic and WBC strata, with a 14.4-fold range in rates between subgroups with the lowest and highest predicted risk (males 13–17 years with elevated WBC [1.1%] vs. females 3–4 years with normal WBC [15.8%]).ConclusionsContemporary NA rates have decreased over time, however NA risk remains high in children without a leukocytosis, particularly for girls and children <5 years of age. These data provide contemporary performance benchmarks for NA in children with suspected appendicitis and identify high-risk populations where further efforts to mitigate NA risk should be targeted.Level of EvidenceIII.     

临床检验不合格血液标本产生原因及质量改进研究

目的:分析临床检验不合格血液标本的原因为何,研究相应的质量改进方法。方法:本课题自我院检验血液标本样本中抽取140份,其中2018年2月~2019年3月的70份命名成对照组,2019年4月~2020年3月的70份命名成试验组,前一组未进行质量改进,后一组进行质量改进,比较检验结果有何不同。结果:试验组这组的检验标本不合格率要比对照组那组的检验标本不合格率低,数据上是P<0.05的情况,即表明有统计学意义。结论:凝血反应、溶血反应、样本问题、送检失误、抗凝不全等是导致临床检验不合格血液标本的原因所在,实施质量改进可将血液标本质量提高。     

Outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with heart failure with a midrange ejection fraction

BackgroundCoronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) improves survival in patients with heart failure and severely reduced left ventricular systolic function (LVEF). Limited data exist regarding adverse cardiovascular event rates after CABG in patients with heart failure with midrange ejection fraction (HFmrEF; LVEF > 40% and < 55%).MethodsWe analyzed data on isolated CABG patients from the Veterans Affairs national database (2010-2019). We stratified patients into control (normal LVEF and no heart failure), HFmrEF, and heart failure with reduced LVEF (HFrEF) groups. We compared all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization rates between groups with a Cox model and recurrent events analysis, respectively.ResultsIn 6533 veterans, HFmrEF and HFrEF was present in 1715 (26.3%) and 566 (8.6%) respectively; the control group had 4252 (65.1%) patients. HFrEF patients were more likely to have diabetes mellitus (59%), insulin therapy (36%), and previous myocardial infarction (31%). Anemia was more prevalent in patients with HFrEF (49%) as was a lower serum albumin (mean, 3.6 mg/dL). Compared with the control group, a higher risk of death was observed in the HFmrEF (hazard ratio [HR], 1.3 [1.2-1.5)] and HFrEF (HR, 1.5 [1.2-1.7]) groups. HFmrEF patients had the higher risk of myocardial infarction (subdistribution HR, 1.2 [1-1.6]; P = .04). Risk of heart failure hospitalization was higher in patients with HFmrEF (HR, 4.1 [3.5-4.7]) and patients with HFrEF (HR, 7.2 [6.2-8.5]).ConclusionsHeart failure with midrange ejection fraction negatively affects survival after CABG. These patients also experience higher rates myocardial infarction and heart failure hospitalization.     

Trends in revisional bariatric surgery using the MBSAQIP database 2015-2017

BackgroundThe third most common bariatric surgery is revisional bariatric surgery. The American College of Surgeons tracks outcomes using the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation Quality Initiative Program database. We used this database to examine trends in revisional bariatric surgery.ObjectiveTo evaluate how trends in bariatric revisional surgery have changed in recent years.SettingUniversity Hospital, United States.MethodsThe Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation Quality Initiative Program database for 2015 to 2017 was examined for revisions of bariatric surgery. Patients who underwent revisional bariatric surgery were identified by the primary Current Procedural Terminology code, the REVCONV and PREVIOUS_SURGERY field as well as secondary Current Procedural Terminology codes. There is no exact code for sleeve gastrectomy (SG) to laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB), so we used 43644 (GB)+REVCONV+PREVIOUS_SURGERY for this.ResultsFor the years 2015 to 2017 there were 57,683 revisions/conversions of 528,081 patients. The number of revisions increased over the study period by 5213 cases. The most common revision was laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) to SG with 15,433 cases and the second was LAGB to LRYGB with 10,485 cases. There were 14,715 LAGB removals. It is more difficult to track SG to LRYGB but there were 8491 unlisted cases, which may have been sleeve to bypass.ConclusionLAGBs are being taken out or converted, and this group makes up the largest portion of revisions and conversions. It is difficult to track SG to LRYGB, but the number of unlisted cases continues to climb. This will likely surpass LAGB conversions with time. The Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation Quality Initiative Program should be modified to capture revisions/conversions of SG.     

黄芪桂枝汤对于风湿痹证患者的改善作用研究

目的:分析和研究黄芪桂枝汤对于风湿痹证患者的改善作用。方法:选择了56例患者进行研究主要对象,将所有参与研究的56例患者分成了对照组(28例)和观察组(28例),使用的分组方式为随机数字表法。对照组使用的治疗方式为西药,观察组则在西药治疗的基础之上增加了黄芪桂枝汤进行联合治疗。之后对比两个组别患者的治疗疗效以及疼痛积分值。结果:对照组之中有11例患者为治愈,11例患者为好转,剩余6例患者为未愈;观察组之中有15例患者为治愈,12例患者为好转,剩余1例患者为未愈,对照组之中患者的治疗疗效明显低于观察组之中的患者。在进行治疗之前,对照组与观察组患者之间的对比不具有统计学意义,对照组当中患者的疼痛积分值明显低于观察组患者,P <0.05说明数据的差异存在统计学意义。结论:在对风湿痹证患者进行治疗时,加用黄芪桂枝汤能够起到标本兼治以及扶正祛邪的作用,值得推广。     

改进原位肛门整形重建术的临床研究

目的探讨采用改进的四联术原位肛门整形重建术的效果。方法38例低位直肠癌行Miles根治术后行一期改进的四联术原位肛门整形重建术,改进包括:①肛门内括约肌改进为双层双套环;②肛门外括约肌改进为肛门外括约肌浅部与深部重建;③直肠角改进为肛提肌切缘牢固地缝合于肛门括约肌外面与结肠前壁;④直肠瓣改进为三个人工直肠瓣。结果38例术后肛门外形、功能及远期生存率均更为优良,术后肛门功能测试的总优良率达94·73%,远期生存率高达76·32%。结论改进的四联术原位肛门重建术的效果良好,改进术式的设计也更符合正常解剖结构与生理功能。     

贵州省龙里县燃煤污染型氟中毒防治效果20年回顾

目的总结贵州省龙里县20年燃煤污染型氟中毒(地氟病)防治效果,为今后地氟病的防治工作提供依据。方法采用资料回顾性方法,分析近20年来龙里县在防治地氟病工作中,开展流行病学凋查、国家投入为主改良炉灶降氟和开展健康教育干预防治地氟病3个阶段的监测结果。结果①煤、玉米和辣椒含氟量分别超过了900、200、400 mg／kg,水氟正常(<1 mg／L)。②以国家投入为主改良炉灶降氟效果明显好转,但诱发不少消极因素。③健康教育干预后村民防治地氟病知识知晓率和行为转变率增高,学生氟斑牙指数由原来的2．59下降为1．60,尿氟由原来的2.41 mg／L下降至1．45 mg／L。结论龙里县地氟病发生主要是村民不良健康生活习惯引起,以国家投入为主改良炉灶降氟收效甚微,开展健康教育干预是燃煤污染型氟中毒病区防治地氟病投入少、见效快的好方法。