International journal of clinical practice
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Jan 2006
Multicenter StudyAssociation between unplanned readmission rate and volume of breast cancer operation cases.
This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between unplanned readmission and breast cancer operation cases, with the assumption that the rate of unplanned readmission within 30 days of surgery was solely due to postsurgical complications. We divided hospitals into three categories based on breast cancer operation cases: low-volume hospitals (< or =50 annual procedures), medium-volume hospitals (51-99 annual procedures) and high-volume hospitals (> or =100 annual procedures). The medical records of 1351 subjects in 24 hospitals were investigated. ⋯ From these three groups, a sample consisting of 1351 patients was created and 17 unplanned readmission cases (1.2%) were reported. Of these 17 cases, 12 (70.59%) cases were from low-volume hospitals. The present results indicate that unplanned readmission within 30 days following discharge is an important adverse outcome in breast cancer surgery.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Jan 2006
Review Case ReportsSpontaneous rupture of non-parasitic hepatic cyst.
Intrahepatic cysts are generally classified as congenital, traumatic, infectious or neoplastic. Non-parasitic hepatic cysts (NPHCs) include simple cysts and adult polycystic liver disease in which the liver is diffusely occupied by cysts. ⋯ We report the case of a 67-year-old man with spontaneous rupture of simple liver cyst. The clinical pictures and the unusual ultrasound features of this rare condition are discussed.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Dec 2005
Randomized Controlled TrialEffectiveness of pre-emptive metoclopramide infusion in alleviating pain, discomfort and nausea associated with nasogastric tube insertion: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Aim of this study was to demonstrate that intravenous metoclopramide can reduce pain, nausea and discomfort during nasogastric tube (NGT) insertion in ED. This prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in the university-based ED. One-hundred patients were enrolled. ⋯ Although initial VAS levels elicited for pain, nausea and discomfort were similar, consequent VAS levels of those in the metoclopramide group were significantly lower as compared with those in the normal saline group. The mean differences of VAS levels were statistically significant for three symptoms (p < 0.001). Mean VAS levels of nausea, discomfort and pain during NGT insertion were significantly lower following administration of IV metoclopramide as compared with normal saline.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Dec 2005
Randomized Controlled TrialSingle vs. two steroid injections for carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomised clinical trial.
We investigated the efficacy of a single vs. double steroid injections in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in a randomised double-blind controlled trial. Patients with idiopathic CTS were randomised into (i) one group receiving a baseline methylprednisolone acetate injection plus a saline injection 8 weeks later and (ii) a second group receiving methylprednisolone acetate injection at baseline and at 8 weeks. The primary outcome was the Global Symptom Score (GSS). ⋯ By 40 weeks, the mean GSS improved from 25.6 to 14.1 in the single-injection group whereas from 26.7 to 12.6 in the reinjection group, but there was no significant difference in GSS between the two groups (p = 0.26). There were also no significant differences in terms of electrophysiological and functional outcomes. The results suggest that an additional steroid injection confers no added benefit to a single injection in terms of symptom relief.