Postgraduate medicine
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Postgraduate medicine · Apr 2024
ReviewA scoping review of mechanisms of auricular acupuncture for treatment of pain.
Auricular acupuncture (AA) is becoming increasingly common in primary care clinics, emergency departments and peri-operatively for pain relief. Over the last decade, since the last comprehensive reviews were published, the literature has expanded. In this scoping review, we seek to document the efficacy of AA in treating both acute and chronic pain, describe the mechanism of action of AA in treating pain, and discuss how AA has been integrated into Western medicine to date. ⋯ AA is an accessible, effective means of pain relief. AA is relatively straightforward to learn, and protocols and curriculums exist to teach healthcare professionals this valuable skill. Overcoming implementation barriers, including patient education, are essential next steps.
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Postgraduate medicine · Apr 2024
Review Meta Analysis Comparative StudySplenectomy versus splenic preservation in total gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing survival benefits and short-term complications.
There is an ongoing debate regarding the comparative merits of splenectomy (SP) and splenic preservation in the surgical management of gastric cancer. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to shed light on potential differences in survival outcomes and postoperative complications associated with these two procedures. ⋯ Despite the lack of significant differences in certain individual complications and postoperative mortality, the broader pattern of our data suggests that SP is associated with a greater overall frequency of postoperative complications, without providing additional survival benefits compared to splenic preservation. Thus, the routine implementation of SP is not advocated.
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Postgraduate medicine · Apr 2024
Role of the systemic immune-inflammation index in predicting spontaneous stone passage in patients with renal colic.
Renal colic (RC) is one of the most frequent reasons for presentation to the emergency department (ED) and creates a high economic and medical burden. Management strategies for RC range from waiting for spontaneous passage to surgical intervention. However, factors determining spontaneous stone passage (SSP) are still poorly understood. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the role of the systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII) in predicting SSP. ⋯ Our findings showed that a low SII level was associated with SSP and could be used as a predictive marker of SSP as a more valuable parameter than NLR. SII and NLR, together with other indicators, are inflammatory markers that can be used in the clinical decision-making process for ureteral stone treatment.
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Postgraduate medicine · Apr 2024
ReviewGallbladder cancer: surgical treatment, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy.
Gallbladder cancer is a common type of biliary tract tumor. Optimal management for early stage cases typically involves radical excision as the primary treatment modality. ⋯ Consequently, non-surgical interventions, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy, have become the mainstay of treatment for patients in advanced stages. This review focuses on elucidating various surgical techniques as well as advancements in immunotherapy and targeted therapy in the context of recent advancements in gallbladder cancer research.
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Postgraduate medicine · Apr 2024
Observational StudyThe evaluation of depression and anxiety levels of mothers of patients with periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis syndrome and familial Mediterranean fever.
Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome and familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) are autoinflammatory disorders typically characterized by recurrent fever attacks. These recurrent fever attacks can lead to depression and anxiety in mothers of these patients. This study aimed to compare the depression and anxiety levels in mothers of PFAPA and FMF patients. ⋯ Depression and anxiety scores of mothers with children diagnosed with FMF and PFAPA are similar. These two diseases affect families psychosocially at similar levels. It is important to provide psychosocial support to families.