Medicine
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Comparative Study
Barbed versus conventional 2-layer continuous running sutures for laparoscopic vaginal cuff closure.
We compared results using unidirectional barbed sutures and conventional sutures for vaginal cuff closure during total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH). The electronic medical records and surgical videos of 170 patients who underwent TLH between January 2013 and March 2015 at Uijeong-bu St. Mary's Hospital of Catholic University of Korea were reviewed. ⋯ Perioperative complications, including episodes of vaginal bleeding, vaginal cuff cellulitis, and postoperative fever, did not differ between groups. There were no instances of vaginal cuff dehiscence in either group. Unidirectional barbed sutures can be used safely to reduce procedure time and surgical difficulty relative to conventional sutures in laparoscopic vaginal cuff closure.
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Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has frequently been reported as a significant indicator of systemic inflammation in various medical conditions. The association underlying NLR and outcomes in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) has not been evaluated after the publication of revised Atlanta classification. This was a single-center retrospective diagnostic accuracy study and a cohort outcome study. ⋯ Following stratification according to quartiles of NLR, positive trends for the association across increasing NLR quartiles and the 3 outcomes were observed (P values for trends across quartiles were 0.007, 0.016, and 0.028, respectively). The adjusted HRs for highest NLR quartile versus the lowest were 2.80 (95% CI 1.42-5.51) (POF), 2.79 (95% CI 1.37-5.70) (ICU > 7 days), and 2.22 (95% CI 0.49-10.05) (mortality), respectively. Our data show for the first time that an increased NLR is an independent risk factor for POF, longer ICU stay, and in-hospital mortality in AP.
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In fetuses who are predicted to be at risk of catastrophic airway obstruction at delivery, the ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure is useful for securing the fetal airway while maintaining fetal oxygenation via placental circulation. Factors, including poor posture of the fetus and physician, narrow visual field, and issues of contamination in the aseptic surgical field, make fetal intubation during the EXIT procedure difficult. Herein, we report our experience of the usefulness of the GlideScope video laryngoscope (GVL) for intubation during the EXIT procedure. ⋯ The GVL approach may be a useful noninvasive approach for establishing a clear fetal airway during the EXIT procedure.
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Comparative Study
Chest CT with iterative reconstruction algorithms for airway stent evaluation in patients with malignant obstructive tracheobronchial diseases.
The aim of the study was to investigate the image quality of low-dose CT images with different reconstruction algorithms including filtered back projection (FBP), hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR), and iterative model reconstruction (IMR) algorithms by comparison of routine dose images with FBP reconstruction, in patients with malignant obstructive tracheobronchial diseases. In total, 60 patients (59 ± 9.3 years, 37 males) with airway stent who are randomly assigned into 2 groups (routine-dose [RD] and low-dose [LD] group, 30 for each) underwent chest CT on a 256-slice CT (RD-group 120 kV, 250 mAs, LD-group 120 kV, 120 mAs). Images were reconstructed with filtered back projection (FBP) algorithm in the RD group, whereas with FBP, HIR and IMR algorithms in the LD group. ⋯ Significant higher image noise and lower score of subjective image quality were observed in LD-FBP images (all P < 0.05). Both IMR and HIR improved image quality of low-dose chest CT by comparison of routine dose images reconstructed with FBP. Meanwhile, IMR allows further image quality improvement than HIR.
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Comparative Study
Postoperative adverse outcomes among physicians receiving major surgeries: A nationwide retrospective cohort study.
Outcomes after surgeries involving physicians as patients have not been researched. This study compares postoperative adverse events between physicians as surgical patients and nonhealth professional controls. Using reimbursement claims data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Program, we conducted a matched retrospective cohort study of 7973 physicians as surgical patients and 7973 propensity score-matched nonphysician controls receiving in-hospital major surgeries between 2004 and 2010. ⋯ Physicians as surgical patients were not associated with 30-day in-hospital mortality after surgery. Physicians working at medical centers (P < 0.05 for all), dentists (P < 0.05 for all), and those with fewer coexisting medical conditions (P < 0.05 for all) had lower risks for postoperative prolonged length of stay, ICU admission, and increased medical expenditure. Although our study's findings suggest that physicians as surgical patients have better outcomes after surgery, future clinical prospective studies are needed for validation.