Medicina
-
Background: new minimally invasive sternotomy (mini-sternotomy) procedures have improved the treatment outcome and reduced the incidence of perioperative complications leading to improved patient satisfaction and a reduced cost of aortic valve replacement in comparison to the conventional median sternotomy (full sternotomy). The aim of this study is to compare and gain new insights into operative and early postoperative outcomes, long-term postoperative results, and 5-year survival rates after aortic valve replacement through a ministernotomy and full sternotomy. Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients who underwent an isolated replacement of the aortic valve via a full sternotomy or ministernotomy from 2011 to 2016. ⋯ Moreover, the number of patients without complaints at 1 year after the operation was significantly greater in the ministernotomy group (p = 0.002), and no significant differences in the 5-year survival between the groups were observed. In the overall cohort, the ministernotomy had longer cross clamp times (88.7 ± 20.7 vs. 79.9 ± 24.8 min, p < 0.001), longer operative times (263.5 ± 62.0 vs. 246.7 ± 74.2 min, p = 0.037) and bypass times (144.0 ± 29.9 vs. 132.7 ± 44.5 min, p = 0.026), lower incidence of 30-day mortality (1(1.4) vs. 13(3.7), p = 0.022), shorter hospital stays post-surgery p = 0.025, less 24-h chest tube drainage, p < 0.001, and fewer corrections of coagulopathy (p < 0.001). Conclusions: the ministernotomy has a number of advantages compared with the full sternotomy and thus could be a better approach for aortic valve replacement.
-
Typhoid fever causes significant morbidity and mortality in developing countries, with inaccurate estimates in some countries affected, especially those situated in Sub-Saharan Africa. Disease burden assessment is limited by lack of a high degree of sensitivity and specificity by many current rapid diagnostic tests. Some of the new technologies, such as PCR and proteomics, may also be useful but are difficult for low-resource settings to apply as point-of-care diagnostics. ⋯ In addition, most typhoid-endemic countries employ serological tests that have low sensitivity and specificity making diagnosis unreliable. Here we review currently available typhoid fever diagnostics, and advances in serodiagnosis of S. Typhi.
-
Objective: The number of patients presenting with warfarin-associated intracranial bleeding and needing neurosurgical intervention is growing. Prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) is commonly used for anti-coagulation reversal before emergent surgery. We present our experience with PCC use in patients presenting with coagulopathy and needing urgent craniotomy. ⋯ Four (11%) patients developed subdural/epidural hematoma and 20 (57%) patients died. Mortality was associated with lower Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score. Conclusions: The 4-PCC facilitates INR reversal and surgery in patients presenting with warfarin-associated coagulopathy and intracranial bleeding requiring urgent neurosurgical intervention.
-
Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) are specially designed multimodal perioperative care pathways which are intended to attain and improve rapid recovery after surgical interventions by supporting preoperative organ function and attenuating the stress response caused by surgical trauma, allowing patients to get back to normal activities as soon as possible. Evidence-based protocols are prepared and published to implement the conception of ERAS. ⋯ Therefore, the optimal postoperative pain management (PPM) applying multimodal analgesia (MA) is one of the most important components of ERAS. The main purpose of this article is to discuss the concept of MA in PPM, particularly reviewing the use of opioid-sparing measures such as paracetamol, nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), other adjuvants, and regional techniques.
-
Background and Objective: Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) is a minimally invasive endobronchial technique, which uses ultrasound along with a bronchoscope to visualize the airway wall and structures that are adjacent to it. Indications for endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) are samplings of mediastinal, hilar lymph nodes, and tumors adjacent to airway walls. EBUS-TBNA has been used in our clinic since 2009. ⋯ Conclusions: EBUS-TBNA had a high diagnostic yield and was safe in the diagnosis of lung cancer and sarcoidosis. It was most informative when cytology and histology were combined. The informative value of EBUS-TBNA histology increased with our experience.