Performance of risk prediction models for post-operative mortality in patients undergoing liver resection

BackgroundLiver resection is commonly performed for hepatic tumors, however preoperative risk stratification remains challenging. We evaluated the performance of contemporary prediction models for short-term mortality after liver resection in patients with and without cirrhosis.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study examined National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data. We included patients who underwent liver resections from 2014 to 2019. VOCAL-Penn, MELD, MELD-Na, ALBI, and Mayo risk scores were evaluated in terms of model discrimination and calibration for 30-day post-operative mortality.ResultsA total 15,198 patients underwent liver resection, of whom 249 (1.6%) experienced 30-day post-operative mortality. The VOCAL-Penn score had the highest discrimination (area under the ROC curve [AUC] 0.74) compared to all other models. The VOCAL-Penn score similarly outperformed other models in patients with (AUC 0.70) and without (AUC 0.74) cirrhosis.ConclusionThe VOCAL-Penn score demonstrated superior predictive performance for 30-day post-operative mortality after liver resection as compared to existing clinical standards.     

Minimally Invasive Treatments for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

PurposeTo review and to compare indirectly the outcomes of minimally invasive therapies for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia.Materials and MethodsA literature search via Medline and Cochrane Central databases was completed for randomized control studies published between January 2000 to April 2020 for the following therapies: Rezum, Urolift, Aquablation, and prostatic artery embolization (PAE). Data on the following variables were included: International prostate symptom score (IPSS), maximum urinary flow rate, quality of life, and postvoid residual (PVR). Standard mean differences between treatments were compared through a meta-analysis using transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) to assess differences in treatment effect.ResultsThere was no significant difference in outcomes between therapies for IPSS at the 3, 6, and 12-month follow ups. Although outcomes for Rezum were only available out to 3 months, there were no consistently significant differences in outcomes when comparing Aquablation versus PAE versus Rezum. TURP PVR was significantly better than Urolift at 3, 6, and 12 months. No significant differences in minor or major adverse events were noted.ConclusionAlthough significant differences in outcomes were limited, Aquablation and PAE were the most durable at 12 months. PAE has been well studied on multiple randomized control trials with minimal adverse events while Aquablation has limited high quality data and has been associated with bleeding-related complications.     

Validation of the Modena bleeding score in endoscopic sinus surgery

IntroductionThe Modena bleeding score is a categorical rating scale that allows the assessment of the surgical field in relation to bleeding during endoscopic surgery. It has recently been presented and validated in the field of endoscopic ear surgery by the present authors. The Modena bleeding score provides five grades for rating the surgical field during endoscopic procedures (from grade 1 ? no bleeding to grade 5 ? bleeding that prevents every surgical procedure except those dedicated to bleeding control).ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to validate the Modena bleeding score in the setting of endoscopic sinus surgery.MethodsFifteen three-minute videos of endoscopic sinus surgery procedures (each containing three bleeding situations) were evaluated by 15 specialists, using the Modena bleeding score. Intra and inter-rater reliability were assessed, and the clinical validity of the Modena bleeding score was calculated using a referent standard.ResultsThe data analysis showed an intra-rater reliability ranging from 0.6336 to 0.861. The inter-rater reliability ranged from 0.676 to 0.844. The clinical validity was α = 0.70; confidence limits: 0.64 ? 0.75, corresponding to substantial agreement.ConclusionThe Modena bleeding score is an effective method to score bleeding during endoscopic sinus surgery. Its application in future research could facilitate the performance and efficacy assessment of surgical techniques, materials or devices aimed to bleeding control during endoscopic sinus surgery.     

Orientation and mobility outcome measures

Despite orientation and mobility (O&M) being a significant factor determining quality of life of people with low vision or blindness, there are no gold standard measures or agreement on how to measure O&M performance. In the first part of this systematic review, an inventory of O&M outcome measures used by recent studies to assess the performance of orientation and/or mobility of adults with vision impairment (low vision and blindness) is presented. A wide variety of O&M outcome measures have been implemented in different fields of study, such as epidemiologic research and interventional studies evaluating training, assistive technology, vision rehabilitation and vision restoration. The most frequent aspect of outcome measures is efficiency such as time, distance, speed and percentage of preferred walking speed, followed by obstacle contacts and avoidance, and dis/orientation and veering. Other less commonly used aspects are target identification, safety and social interaction and self-reported outcome measures. Some studies employ sophisticated equipment to capture and analyse O&M performance in a laboratory setting, while others carry out their assessment in real-world indoor or outdoor environments. In the second part of this review, the appropriateness of implementing the identified outcome measures to assess O&M performance in clinical and functional O&M practice is evaluated. Nearly a half of these outcome measures meet all four criteria of face validity (either clinical or functional), responsiveness, reliability and feasibility and have the potential to be implemented in clinical or functional O&M practice. The findings of this review confirm the complicated and dynamic nature of O&M. Multiple measures are required in any evaluation of O&M performance to facilitate holistic assessment of O&M abilities and limitations of each individual.     

Restless legs syndrome in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: prevalence,mimic conditions,risk factors,and association with functional impairment

ObjectivesTo determine the prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) and RLS-mimic conditions, the risk factors for RLS, and whether RLS contributes to functional impairment in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).MethodsADHD children and adolescents were prospectively studied at the outpatient psychiatric clinic. A trained registered nurse used the 2012 Revised International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group diagnostic criteria to diagnose RLS. Sociodemographic data and medical records were reviewed. Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale-Parent Report (WFIRS-P) Thai version was used to identify association between RLS and 6 domains of function [family, school (learning), school (behavior), life skills, child self-concept, social activities, and risky activities].ResultsA total of 217 patients were included. Of those, 23 (11%) patients met the criteria for RLS, and 49 (23%) had RLS-mimic conditions. Those conditions included myalgia (30/49), habitual foot tapping (23/49), positional discomfort (20/49), leg ulcer/bruise (1/49), and arthralgia/arthritis (1/49). Binary logistic regression revealed first-degree relative having RLS symptom to be significantly associated with RLS in study patients (OR: 5.06, p < 0.01). Multivariate linear regression showed RLS to be independently associated with school (behavior) (Β = 1.18, p = 0.05) and life skills (Β = 2.36, p = 0.05) impairment.ConclusionsRLS was found to be common in ADHD children and adolescents. RLS-mimic conditions were found in two-thirds of patients who previously met 4 essential RLS criteria. First-degree relative with RLS symptom was associated with RLS, and RLS was associated with functional impairment in the life skills and school (behavior) domains.     

肝内胆管癌肝切除术后“教科书式结局”影响因素分析及预测模型建立

目的 分析肝内胆管癌（ICC）病人肝切除术后“教科书式结局”（TO）的影响因素，构建预测TO评分模型。方法 回顾性分析2011年1月至2017年1月东南大学附属中大医院和中国人民解放军东部战区总医院八一医院收治的261例行肝切除术的ICC病人临床病理资料，分析影响TO的独立危险因素，根据危险因素的权重构建预测TO的评分模型。结果 261例ICC病人中，67例（25.7%）术后发生TO。年龄、肝硬化、手术时间和T分期［第8版美国癌症联合委员会（AJCC）癌症分期］为术后TO的独立预测因素。依此4项因素构建的评分模型显示了较好的预测准确性，最佳截断值为-1.9分，其敏感度为67.2%，特异度为62.9%。一致性检验显示其预测概率和实际发生概率有着较好的一致性（χ2=1.350，P=0.853）。结论 基于年龄、肝硬化、手术时间、T分期4个因素建立的评分模型可较准确地预测ICC病人术后TO的可能性，即手术时间短、无肝硬化、肿瘤直径<5 cm的年轻ICC病人肝切除后获得TO的可能性更大。     

Relationships Among Factors Related to Childbirth and Breastfeeding Outcomes in Primiparous Women

ObjectivesTo explore the relationships among potentially modifiable factors related to childbirth and effective breastfeeding initiation at approximately 36 hours after birth and duration and exclusivity at hospital discharge, 2 weeks, 2 months, and 6 months after birth in primiparous women and to explore whether modifiable and nonmodifiable secondary factors and covariates influenced the relationships among factors related to childbirth and these breastfeeding outcomes.DesignA prospective, longitudinal, cohort study.SettingThe postpartum units of two general hospitals in eastern Canada.ParticipantsNinety-seven mother–infant dyads.MethodsWe recorded demographic, childbirth, obstetric history, and breastfeeding data through chart review. A breastfeeding observation was completed at approximately 36 hours after birth by unit nurses. Participants maintained breastfeeding logs in hospital and for 6 months after birth and completed three self-report questionnaires before discharge. We analyzed outcomes using backward stepwise linear and logistic regression.ResultsOne childbirth factor, labor induced with oxytocin, was negatively associated with effective initiation of breastfeeding, and none was related to breastfeeding duration and exclusivity at any time point. Maternal weight; professional support; and newborn’s gestational age at birth, 5-minute Apgar score, weight loss, LATCH score, and active feeds (newborn actively suckled at the breast) were significantly associated with breastfeeding outcomes.ConclusionInduction of labor with oxytocin should be used judiciously; when used, nurses must be hypervigilant to assess the mother–infant dyad for breastfeeding issues and to intervene to prevent or remediate them.