Hong Kong medical journal = Xianggang yi xue za zhi / Hong Kong Academy of Medicine
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Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy is the most common category of seizure-related death for patients who develop chronic epilepsy, accounting for up to 17% of epilepsy deaths. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy is defined as a sudden, unexpected, non-accidental death in an individual with epilepsy with or without evidence of a seizure having occurred (excluding documented status epilepticus) and where autopsy does not reveal an anatomical or toxicological cause of death. Incidence rates range between 0.35 and 2.70 per 1000 person-years in the population-based studies and between 1.50 and 9.30 per 1000 person-years in selected cohorts. Seizure frequency appears to be an important factor in sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, although the exact pathogenetic mechanisms involved are unclear.
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To determine the prognosis of patients with ventricular fibrillation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Hong Kong and examine its relationship with the other links in the chain of survival. ⋯ Patients with ventricular fibrillation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest have a better chance of survival than those with other cardiac rhythms. Further improvement requires simultaneous strengthening of all four links in the chain of survival.
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To evaluate the outcomes of severely burned patients treated at a regional burns unit and to develop a predictive model for survival and length of hospital stay for major burn patients in Hong Kong. ⋯ A predictive model for mortality and length of hospital stay has been developed for major burn patients in Hong Kong. This model may help clinicians to counsel patients and relatives at an early stage of care, to provide a basis from which new treatment plans can be compared, and to facilitate efficient allocation of valuable medical resources.
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To review the results of day-case procedures performed for inguinal hernia or hernia-hydrocele complex in Chinese children. ⋯ Day-case inguinal herniotomy is safe and acceptable to Chinese children. Given these satisfactory results, paediatric patients with inguinal hernia can be safely managed with ambulatory surgery performed by suitably experienced surgeons.
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Acute pain services in public hospitals in Hong Kong were studied. Audit data on the volume and quality of acute pain services were collected prospectively from 1997 to 1999, and data on related facilities were collected in 2000. About 20% of patients undergoing a major operation received an acute pain service; of these, 78.6% were satisfied with the treatment provided. ⋯ Currently anaesthesiologist-based acute pain services take care of a limited number of patients. To expand the coverage, there should be a move towards an anaesthesiologist-led, pain nurse-based, acute pain service. The present shortage of pain nurses should be addressed.