Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research
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BACKGROUND We modified the anastomosis surgical method based on the Blumgart anastomosis in pancreaticoduodenectomy. This study aimed to compare patient outcomes with regards to clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) and other postoperative complications among patients receiving traditional anastomosis, classical Blumgart anastomosis, and our modified-Blumgart anastomosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Data were reviewed from 229 consecutive patients with periampullary tumors who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy administered by a single surgeon at the Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital between January 2010 and December 2017. ⋯ CONCLUSIONS Upon review of a single surgeon's experience over 8 years, Blumgart anastomosis might be more effective in the prevention of CR-POPF than traditional anastomosis. Our modified-Blumgart anastomosis method maintained a low rate of morbidity and mortality but with simplified procedures that can be easily put into practice. This technique can be used widely with excellent safety for pancreatojejunostomy as a part of pancreaticoduodenectomy.
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BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of isolated decompression for patients with transverse sacral fractures and cauda equina syndrome, which have been rarely reported before. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twelve neurological impaired patients with transverse sacral fracture from January 2010 to March 2017 treated in our institution were evaluated. All patients went through isolated decompression and were followed for a minimum of 12 months. ⋯ No surgical-related complications were seen in any patients. CONCLUSIONS Isolated decompression can be considered for patients who present a stable sacrum with non-displaced fracture or an old fracture that shows fracture healing. Favorable pelvic outcomes and neurological recovery, along with acceptable stability, can be acquired.
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The growing number of publications concerning postoperative cognitive decline (POCD) after cardiac surgery is indicative of the health-related and economic-related importance of this intriguing issue. Significantly, the reported POCD incidence over the years has remained steady due to various unresolved challenges regarding the examination of this multidisciplinary topic. In particular, a universally accepted POCD definition has not been established, and the pathogenesis is still vaguely understood. ⋯ To our knowledge, this is the first narrative review that identified class-1 evidence (systematic review of randomized trials), although most evidence is still at class-2 or below. Furthermore, we revealed that defining POCD is a very controversial matter and that the inflammatory response plays an important role in the mutually overlapping processes included in POCD development. Thus, developing the definition of POCD represents an absolute priority in POCD investigations, and the inflammatory response to cardiac surgery merits further research.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Mirror Therapy Using Gesture Recognition for Upper Limb Function, Neck Discomfort, and Quality of Life After Chronic Stroke: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.
BACKGROUND Mirror therapy for stroke patients was reported to be effective in improving upper-extremity motor function and daily life activity performance. In addition, game-based virtual reality can be realized using a gesture recognition (GR) device, and various tasks can be presented. Therefore, this study investigated changes in upper-extremity motor function, quality of life, and neck discomfort when using a GR device for mirror therapy to observe the upper extremities reflected in the mirror. ⋯ RESULTS Upper-extremity function, depression, and quality of life in the GR mirror therapy group were significantly better than in the control group. The changes of neck discomfort in the conventional mirror therapy and control groups were significantly greater than in the GR mirror therapy group. CONCLUSIONS We found that GR device-based mirror therapy is an intervention that improves upper-extremity function, neck discomfort, and quality of life in patients with chronic stroke.