Hong Kong medical journal = Xianggang yi xue za zhi / Hong Kong Academy of Medicine
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To review the clinical outcome of locally advanced rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by definitive surgery with or without adjuvant chemotherapy and to elucidate the prognostic factors for treatment outcome. ⋯ The treatment outcome of neoadjuvant chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal cancer was comparable with overseas data in terms of local control rate and overall survival. This strategy may increase the chance of achieving a clear surgical margin by downstaging the tumour, especially in patients who presented with threatened circumferential margin.
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The survival rate of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Hong Kong is low. A long delay between collapse and defibrillation is a contributing factor. Public access to defibrillation may shorten this delay. It is unknown, however, whether Hong Kong's public is willing or able to use an automatic external defibrillator. This study aimed to evaluate public knowledge of how to use an automatic external defibrillator in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. ⋯ Public knowledge of automatic external defibrillator use is low in Hong Kong. A combination of training in first aid and in the use of an automatic external defibrillator is better than either one alone.
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The number of actual donors per million population is the most commonly used metric to measure organ donation rates worldwide. It is deemed inadequate, however, because it does not take into account the potential donor pool. The aim of this study was to determine the true potential for solid organ donation from deceased brain-dead donors and the reasons for non-donation from potential donors in the Chinese community. ⋯ It is possible to increase the organ donation rate considerably by action at different stages of the donation process. Ongoing accurate audit of current practice is necessary.
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It has been speculated that extracorporeal blood purification therapies might improve the clinical outcome for patients with severe sepsis, with or without acute kidney injury, since the removal of inflammatory mediators and/or bacterial toxins from circulation could modulate the inflammatory responses that result in organ damage. Despite initial enthusiasm based on promising preliminary results, subsequent investigations did not show sustainable survival benefit. We review the principles and development of blood purification techniques for sepsis and septic acute kidney injury.
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The use of motor vehicles is common during pregnancy. Correct seatbelt use during pregnancy has been shown to protect both the pregnant woman and her fetus. This survey aimed to evaluate the practices, beliefs, and knowledge of Hong Kong pregnant women of correct seatbelt use, and identify factors leading to reduced compliance and inadequate knowledge. ⋯ Public health education for pregnant women in Hong Kong about road safety is advisable, and targeting the lower-compliant groups may be more effective and successful.