Comparison Of Clinical Outcomes Research Articles

Elastic Stable Intramedullary Nailing in Length Stable Versus Unstable Pediatric Femoral Shaft Fractures: A Comparison of Clinical, Radiographic, and Pedobarographic Outcomes.

Pediatric diaphyseal femoral fracture (PDFF) is one of the most common injuries requiring hospitalization. Elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) is commonly used for PDFFs in ages 5 to 11. The optimal treatment method for length unstable PDFF is a subject of ongoing debate. This study aimed to compare clinical, radiographic, and pedobarographic outcomes of ESIN between length stable and unstable PDFF. We retrospectively reviewed patients undergoing ESIN treatment for isolated PDFF between 2016 and 2021. Exclusion criteria were (1) history of ipsilateral or contralateral lower extremity fractures, (2) highly comminuted or segmental fractures, (3) body weight >50kg, and (4) comorbidities affecting bone quality, range of motion, or neurologic status. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to length stability. Clinical, radiographic, and pedobarographic data were then assessed to compare groups. Twenty-five patients were included (17 length stable and 8 length unstable PDFF) with a mean age of 73.6±17.8 months. There was no significant difference between groups in age, side of injury, body weight, follow-up duration, and nail-canal diameter ratio. Mean deformity in the fracture site in the early postoperative x-rays was not significantly different between groups (P=0.661). After a mean follow-up of 27.8±14.2 months (range, 12-67), there was no significant difference in mechanical axis deviation, distal femur joint orientation angle, or limb-length discrepancy in both groups. The pedobarographic assessment revealed that the length unstable group had a significantly higher external foot progression angle in the injured extremity (9.8°±6.9° vs. 1.3°±5.6°, P=0.031). However, the length stable group had no significant difference in the foot progression angle (4.9°±5° vs. 3°±4.3°, P=0.326). There was no significant difference in either group for other pedobarographic parameters. ESIN is a safe and effective option for length-unstable PDFF, yet attention should be paid to the rotational alignment. Although significant external rotation deformity occurs in length-unstable PDFF, it has no implications for the other pedobarographic parameters. Level IV.

Comparison of Clinical Outcomes Between Laparoscopic and Open Surgery in Colorectal Cancer Patients

ABSTRACT Aim: Our research compares the clinical results of open surgery versus laparoscopic surgery for colorectal malignancies. Materials and Methods: Our analysis focused on a database that included data on patients with colorectal cancer who had laparoscopic or open surgery for stages I to III at a prestigious healthcare institute in India. Two groups of 50 patients underwent laparoscopic and 50 underwent conventional open colorectal surgery (OCRS and LCRS, respectively) throughout the same time. Patient demographics, operation data, initial postoperative outcomes, follow-up appointments, pathology results, and cancer stages were examined. Results: The LCRS group had a much longer operation time compared to the OCRS. Subjects in the LCRS group experienced a notably accelerated recovery after surgery. The hospital stay for the OCRS group was considerably longer compared to that in the LCRS group. Conclusion: Laparoscopic colorectal surgery is a reliable and convenient alternative to the traditional open approach, providing comparable oncological efficacy.

#2741 The interplay between donor & recipient factors, outcomes, and transplant artery flow volume as measured by phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract Background and Aims Cardiovascular health and kidney transplant health are inter-connected [1]. Phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) is a non-invasive means of quantifying blood flow volume within vasculature. Its utility for the assessment of blood flow volumes within the transplant renal artery has not been explored. The aims of this study were to determine if: (A) flow in the transplant artery is influenced by donor and recipients factors, (B) flow in the transplant artery is related to or influences clinical outcomes for transplant recipients. Method Analysis of PC-MRI sequences obtained during 218 kidney transplant magnetic resonance angiograms (MRA) performed at a single centre between 2019 and 2021 was undertaken. All scans were clinically indicated and requested by clinicians to investigate for transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS). Baseline clinical and demographic data and subsequent clinical outcome data were collected for all study participants. Median follow up was 49 (IQR 40–54) months. For Kaplan-Meier survival analyses, comparison of clinical outcomes by interquartile range of flow volumes was performed, whereby quartile one comprised subjects with the lowest transplant artery blood flow volumes. Statistical analysis was performed using MedCalc Statistical Software version 22.013. Results In this study of 218 subjects, 49 (22.4%) had features of possible TRAS identified on initial MRA. TRAS was subsequently confirmed via intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography in 19 (8.7%) cases. The majority of participants were male 150/218 (68.8%). The commonest cause of ESKD was diabetic kidney disease at 71/218 (32.6%). Living donor transplant recipients were 35/218 (11.5%) of the study population. The median donor age was 55 (IQR 44–65) years. The median time from ESKD to transplantation was 25 (IQR 9–53) months. The median time from transplantation to PC-MRI for all participants was 322 (IQR 81–1744) days; for participants who were ultimately diagnosed with TRAS it was 169 (IQR 76–262) days. The median age of recipients at time of PC-MRI was 56 (IQR 45–64) years. Overall, the mean transplant artery flow volume was 0.41 L/min (95% CI 0.39–0.45 L/min). Rank correlation between age of donor and flow in the transplant artery (L/min) showed r = −0.25 (95% CI −0.37 - −0.12) P = 0.0002. Rank correlation between age of recipient at time of PC-MRI and flow in the transplant artery (L/min) showed r = −0.37 (95% CI −0.48 to −0.25) P ≤ 0.0001. Rank correlation between flow in the transplant artery (L/min) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (mL/min/1.73 m2) showed r = 0.43 (95% CI 0.31–0.53) P < 0.0001. Univariable linear regression analysis of flow in the transplant artery (L/min) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (mL/min/1.73 m2) was R2 0.14, DF regression = 1 DF residual = 214, F = 34.7, P < 0.0001 (Fig. 1). Overall, 35 (16.1%) participants experienced kidney transplant failure and 42 (19.3%) participants died within the study follow up period. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed no significant difference in kidney transplant survival between four groups categorized according to transplant artery flow volumes, logrank test P = 0.93 (Fig. 2A). Subjects in the first quartile were at greater risk of death, logrank test P = 0.01, HR 4.36 (95% CI 1.77–10.74) compared with fourth quartile (Fig. 2B) Conclusion This study has demonstrated that both older donor age and older recipient age negatively correlate with transplant artery flow, and that transplant artery flow is positively correlated and predicts estimated glomerular filtration rate. Finally, recipients with low transplant artery flow volume are at greater risk of death. Neither cause nor effect of low blood flow volume have been elucidated in this study. However, improving transplant blood flow by optimising cardiovascular health may have a positive impact on outcomes for people with kidney transplants and warrants further study.

Comparison of Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of Total Knee Arthroplasty in Osteoarthritic Patients

Comparison of Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of Total Knee Arthroplasty in Osteoarthritic Patients

Transforming health care: Investigating Influenzer, a novel telemedicine-supported early discharge program for patients with lower respiratory tract infection: A non-randomized feasibility study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems globally, necessitating innovative care models like hospital-at-home and virtual care programs. The Influenzer telemedicine program aims to deliver hospital-led monitoring and treatment to patients at home. Integrating telemedicine technology with domestic visits provides an alternative to traditional hospitalization, with the aim of easing the burden on healthcare facilities without compromising patient safety. To evaluate the effectiveness of the Influenzer program, a randomized controlled trial is proposed. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of the proposed clinical trial design. A non-randomized feasibility study was conducted at the Department of Pulmonary and Infectious Diseases at Nordsjaellands Hospital offering a telemedicine-supported early discharge program to patients with lower respiratory tract infections, including COVID-19. The feasibility of trial procedures, including recruitment, adherence, and retention, was analyzed. Also, participants' characteristics and trajectory during the intervention, including telemedicine and domestic services, were assessed. Nineteen patients were enrolled from June 2022 to April 2023 and treated at home. Forty patients were not enrolled as 15 (25%) were non-eligible according to study protocol, 15 (25%) refused to participate and 10 (17%) had not been approached. Subjects treated at home had comparable clinical outcomes to those treated in the acute hospital, no major safety incidences occurred and patients were highly satisfied. Participants demonstrated 99% adherence to planned daily monitoring activities. In total, 63% completed all survey assessments at least partially including baseline, at discharge, and 3 months post-discharge, while 89% participated in a follow-up interview. No participants withdrew their consent. The feasibility study documented that the Influenzer home-hospital program was feasible and well accepted in a Scandinavian setting in terms of no withdrawals and excellent participant adherence to the planned daily monitoring activities. Challenges in the organizational structures including patient recruitment and data collection required resolution prior to our randomized clinical trial. Insights from this feasibility study have led to the improved design of the final Influenzer program evaluation trial. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05087082. Registered on 18 August 2021.

Comparison of clinical outcomes between femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery versus conventional phacoemulsification in vitrectomized eyes - A prospective interventional study.

To compare the clinical outcomes and surgical safety between femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) and conventional phacoemulsification cataract surgery (CPCS) in vitrectomized eyes. A prospective interventional comparative study was conducted at a tertiary eye care center. Sixty consecutive cases requiring cataract surgery following pars plana vitrectomy were allocated into Group 1 (n = 30), who underwent FLACS with intraocular lens implantation, and Group 2 (n = 30), who underwent CPCS with intraocular lens implantation, and followed up for 3 months. Primary outcome measures were intraoperative ultrasonic cumulative dissipated energy (CDE) and intraoperative and postoperative complications. The secondary outcome measures were postoperative changes in endothelial cell count (ECC) and central corneal thickness (CCT). Baseline corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), ECC, and CCT were comparable. Intraoperative CDE was significantly less in the FLACS group (8.11 vs. 15.83 percentage seconds; P = 0.012) with no intraoperative complication in either group. The postoperative CDVA was comparable between the groups with a trend toward earlier visual recovery in the FLACS group. The postoperative day (POD) 1 endothelial cell loss was higher in the CPCS group (7.54% vs. 2.05%), with the mean endothelial cell density being significantly higher in the FLACS group throughout the follow-up period (P < 0.05). POD-1 corneal edema was higher in the CPCS group compared to FLACS with no significant difference on follow-up. Intraoperative migration of silicone oil to the anterior chamber was observed in 40% versus 0% in the CPCS versus FLACS groups, respectively. FLACS can be safely performed in post-vitrectomy eyes with lesser intraoperative ultrasonic energy used, postoperative endothelial cell loss, and change in CCT compared to CPCS.

Comparison of clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 or non-COVID-19 community-acquired pneumonia in a prospective observational cohort study.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and non-COVID-19 community-acquired pneumonia (NC-CAP) often result in hospitalization with considerable risks of mortality, ICU treatment, and long-term morbidity. A comparative analysis of clinical outcomes in COVID-19 CAP (C-CAP) and NC-CAP may improve clinical management. Using prospectively collected CAPNETZ study data (January 2017 to June 2021, 35 study centers), we conducted a comprehensive analysis of clinical outcomes including in-hospital death, ICU treatment, length of hospital stay (LOHS), 180-day survival, and post-discharge re-hospitalization rate. Logistic regression models were used to examine group differences between C-CAP and NC-CAP patients and associations with patient demography, recruitment period, comorbidity, and treatment. Among 1368 patients (C-CAP: n = 344; NC-CAP: n = 1024), C-CAP showed elevated adjusted probabilities for in-hospital death (aOR 4.48 [95% CI 2.38-8.53]) and ICU treatment (aOR 8.08 [95% CI 5.31-12.52]) compared to NC-CAP. C-CAP patients were at increased risk of LOHS over seven days (aOR 1.88 [95% CI 1.47-2.42]). Although ICU patients had similar in-hospital mortality risk, C-CAP was associated with length of ICU stay over seven days (aOR 3.59 [95% CI 1.65-8.38]). Recruitment period influenced outcomes in C-CAP but not in NC-CAP. During follow-up, C-CAP was linked to a reduced risk of re-hospitalization and mortality post-discharge (aOR 0.43 [95% CI 0.27-0.70]). Distinct clinical trajectories of C-CAP and NC-CAP underscore the need for adapted management to avoid acute and long-term morbidity and mortality amid the evolving landscape of CAP pathogens.

Comparison of Clinical Outcomes between the Fourth Day and the Fifth Day Embryo Transfer in IVF/ICSI Cycles: A Retrospective Cohort Study before and after PSM

Comparison of Clinical Outcomes between the Fourth Day and the Fifth Day Embryo Transfer in IVF/ICSI Cycles: A Retrospective Cohort Study before and after PSM

Comparison of vascular risk profile and clinical outcomes among patients with central (branch) retinal artery occlusion versus amaurosis fugax

BackgroundRetinal artery occlusions lead to sudden, painless vision loss, affecting millions globally. Despite their significance, treatment strategies remain unestablished, contrasting with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), where IVT has proven efficacy. Similar to AIS, retinal artery occlusions demand urgent evaluation and treatment, reflecting the principle "time is retina". Even for patients with transient monocular vision loss, also known as amaurosis fugax (AF), pertinent guidelines meanwhile recommend immediate emergency assessment in a specialized facility. However, data on the clinical benefit and comparability with persistent occlusions are missing. This study aimed to compare the results of a comprehensive stroke-workup among patients with persistent retinal artery occlusions (RAO), including both central retinal (CRAO) and branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) and those with AF.MethodsConducted at the University Hospital Giessen, Germany, this exploratory cross-sectional study enrolled patients with transient or permanent unilateral vision loss of non-arteritic origin. The primary outcome were differences between the two groups RAO and AF with regard to cardiovascular risk profiles and comorbidities, vascular and pharmacological interventions and clinical neurological and ophthalmological outcomes. Secondary outcome was a sub-group analysis of patients receiving IVT.ResultsOut of 166 patients assessed, 76 with RAO and 40 with AF met the inclusion criteria. Both groups exhibited comparable age, gender distribution, and cardiovascular risk profiles. Notably, RAO patients did not show significantly more severe vascular comorbidities than AF patients. However, AF patients received vascular interventions more frequently. Pharmacological intervention rates were similar across groups. RAO patients had slightly worse neurological outcomes, and IVT did not yield favorable ophthalmological outcomes within any observed patients.ConclusionThe study found similar vascular burden and risk factors in patients with RAO and AF, with implications for clinical workflows. IVT for RAO may only be effective in very early treatment windows. This emphasizes the need for public awareness and collaborative protocols between ophthalmologists and neurologists to improve outcomes.

Analysis of interventional treatment options of the common femoral artery - a retrospective single center experience.

Background: Due to the rapid development of treatment techniques of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) treatment is nowadays predominantly interventional. An exception are lesions of the common femoral artery (CFA), which should be treated surgically according to vascular guidelines. However, recent evidence has shown that endovascular techniques, e.g. stenting, have comparable clinical outcomes while causing fewer complications. The aim of the present analysis was to evaluate the therapeutic success of endovascular therapy of CFA lesions in a single center, all - comers registry. Patients and methods: All patients who were treated for a CFA lesion at the Department of Internal Medicine I of the University Hospital Jena in the period from 01/2017 to 12/2020 were included. Treatment success was determined by evaluating the ankle-brachial-index (ABI) pre- and post-interventional as well as after follow-up (FU), measuring walking distance (WD) and by target revascularization rate (TLR) and primary patency rate (PPR). Results: The analysis included 109 patients with a mean age of 73.4 years, with 67% (73) of those being men. 72 patients received interventional treatment, whereas 33 were treated surgically and 4 conservatively. Resting ABI in the overall cohort showed an increase from 0.5 to 0.7 post intervention (p=<0.05; mean FU-time: 6.5 months). In the interventional cohort ABI increases from 0.6 to 0.8 (p=<0.05; mean FU-time: 5,8 months) at FU and from 0.3 to 0.6 (p=<0.05; mean FU-time: 8,8 month) in the surgically treated group. The WD improved in the whole collective from 116.5 meter (m) to 152.5 m (p=<0.05). The TLR showed no significant difference with 8.1% after interventional treatment and 6.1% after vascular surgery in the present analysis (p=0.72) as well as PPR with 89.8% after EVT and 90.9% after surgical approach (p=0.87). The intra-/postinterventional complication rate was 5.5% in the intervention group, compared to postoperative complication rate of 15.2% in the surgically treated group. Conclusions: The present analysis demonstrates that even in a real-world, all-comers collective, interventional therapy for CFA lesions was safe and equally effective as the surgically treated patient cohort. Continuing to generate registry data is important to eventually initiate a paradigm shift.

The role of gender in resting full-cycle ratio (RFR) guided coronary revascularization

BackgroundGender-based differences in clinical outcomes of patients undergoing fractional flow reserved (FFR) guided coronary revascularization is well documented. This study aimed to compare resting full-cycle ratio (RFR) values between men and women and whether this translated into difference in clinical outcomes in patients who underwent RFR-guided coronary revascularization. MethodsThis was a retrospective single-centre study of consecutive patients who underwent RFR-guided revascularization for coronary lesions with intermediate degree of stenosis. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), unplanned revascularization, and unstable angina requiring hospital admission at one year. ResultsIn 373 consecutive patients (510 lesions, 26% women) there was no statistically significant difference in RFR value between men and women (0.90 ± 10 versus 0.90 ± 11, P = 0.95). There was no statistically significant difference between men and women in the primary endpoint, even after adjustment to the imbalance between the two groups [3.7% vs. 3.0%; HR 1.43, 95% CI (0.46 to 4.43), P = 0.54]; or its individual components of death (1.1% vs 0.8%, P = 0.76), MI (1.9% vs 0.8%, P = 0.38) or unplanned revascularization, including unstable angina admissions (2.6% vs 2.3%, P = 0.82). The comparable clinical outcomes were consistent across all different subgroups, including clinical presentation, diabetes status, left ventricle systolic function, kidney function, and the interrogated coronary artery. ConclusionOur study suggests no significant gender-based difference in the value of RFR or 1-year clinical outcomes in patients undergoing resting physiology guided coronary revascularization.

Comparison of clinical characteristics and outcomes in primary neuroendocrine breast carcinoma versus invasive ductal carcinoma.

Neuroendocrine breast carcinoma (NECB) is a rare, special histologic type of breast cancer. There are some small sample studies on the clinical outcomes of NECB patients, which are worthy of further discussion. We conducted a retrospective case-control study of clinical characteristics and outcomes among patients with primary NECB versus invasive carcinoma of no special type (NST) between November 2004 and November 2017 in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing. NST patients were strictly matched 1:4 during the same period based on the TNM stage. Statistical comparisons were performed to determine the differences in survival between NST and NECB patients and to identify clinical factors that correlate with prognosis. A total of 121 participants affected by primary NECB were included in our analysis from November 2004 to November 2017. Elderly persons (>60 years of age) were more likely to have primary NECB than young persons (p=0.001). In addition, primary NECB patients had significantly higher odds of having tumors 2-5cm (36.5%) and >5cm (6.1%) in size than NST patients. Despite a significant difference in tumor size, the proportion of patients with lymph node metastases showed no difference between the two groups (p=0.021). In addition, the rate of patients with ER-negative tumors in the NECB group (4.2%) was significantly lower than that in the primary NST group (29.8%). Significant differences were noted in the PR-negative (13.3% versus 36.6%, P<0.001) and HER2-negative (90.5% versus 76.4%, P=0.001) expression statuses among these patients. Of 121 primary NECB patients, 11 (9.1%) experienced relapses during the follow-up period. We found that tumor size was an independent risk factor for relapse. For hormone receptors on tumor cells, ER-positive breast cancer patients had significantly lower odds of relapse than receptor-negative patients. Our data demonstrate no significant difference in mortality and relapse between the primary NECB and NST groups. The tumor size in the primary NECB group was significantly larger than that in the NST group. In addition, the absence of ER independently increased the relapse rate for breast carcinoma patients.

Determining the cost-effectiveness of follitropin alfa biosimilar compared to follitropin alfa originator in women undergoing fertility treatment in France

ObjectiveThe study assessed cost-effectiveness of follitropin alfa biosimilar versus the originator in terms of cost per cumulative live-birth (CLB) for the French healthcare system based on real-world evidence. Follitropin alfa biosimilars have been shown to have comparable clinical outcomes to the originator, in both clinical studies and real-world settings, in terms of oocyte retrieval and cumulative live-birth rate (CLBR). Previous health economic studies comparing the cost-effectiveness of follitropin alfa biosimilars against the originator utilised clinical trial data, leaving ambiguity over cost-effectiveness in real-world settings. Additionally, previous cost-effectiveness analysis has been performed for live-births following only fresh embryo transfers, whereas, fresh and frozen transfers are common in clinical practice. This study investigates the cost per CLB, which more closely models clinical practice. Study designA decision-tree cost-effectiveness model was developed based on the total costs and CLBR per ovarian stimulation (OS) for a follitropin alfa biosimilar (Bemfola®, Gedeon Richter Plc, Budapest, Hungary) and the originator (Gonal-f®, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany). A time horizon of one year from oocyte retrieval to embryo transfer was used but costs from resulting transfers were also included. Clinical inputs were taken from the REOLA real-world study or clinician insights, while acquisition costs were taken from French public databases. The output was cost per CLB following one OS. One-way sensitivity analysis was performed to determine the largest model drivers. ResultsCost per CLB was €18,147 with follitropin alfa biosimilar and €18,834 with the originator, saving €687 per CLB following OS with the biosimilar. When wastage estimates were considered the biosimilar cost saving is estimated to be between €796 and €1,155 per CLB further increasing cost savings. Irrespective of wastage, if used ubiquitously throughout France for ART, the biosimilar could save the French health system €13,994,190 or lead to 771 more births when compared to its higher-cost originator. Sensitivity analysis showed that the originator’s relative CLBR had the greatest impact on the model. ConclusionThis analysis demonstrates that the follitropin alfa biosimilar, Bemfola®, is a more cost-effective option for OS compared with the originator from a French healthcare payer perspective, in terms of cost per CLB.

Abstract PO4-07-01: Deep learning guided radiation therapy machine selection via a multi-headed dose prediction model

Abstract Background: Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI) is gaining popularity for the treatment of appropriately selected breast cancer patients in lieu of whole breast irradiation regimens due to its comparable clinical outcomes and improved patient convenience and quality-of-life. Currently, several machines for delivery of APBI are available such as CyberKnife, Elekta Unity, Varian Ethos and Varian TrueBeam. Each treatment machine yields a unique distribution of radiation dose, so a given modality may afford particular advantages or liabilities based on a patient’s anatomy. Existing methods for identification of an ideal modality that best suits a patient’s unique anatomical features are generally lacking, manual, and resource intensive. To overcome this limitation and personalize modality selection, we propose a deep learning (DL) based multi-modality dose prediction model. The model takes a patient’s computed tomography (CT) scan, segmented planning target volumes (PTVs) and segmented organs at risk (OARs) as input, and outputs predicted dose distributions for all trained modalities. Differences may then be evaluated between each radiation treatment modality’s corresponding dose distribution and dose volumetric histograms (DVH) to select the optimal modality for each patient. Methods: Our dataset contains 16 partial breast patients, each with 4 unique treatment plans generated for 4 distinct modalities – CyberKnife, Elekta Unity, Varian Ethos and Varian Truebeam. 10, 2, and 4 patients were dedicated to the train, validation and test datasets respectively. Our model’s architecture is a U-net with a shared encoder and 4 independent dose decoders, in which each decoder predicts dose for one modality. Each training patient’s CT scan, PTVs, OARs, and a PTV distance map are input to the model during training, and the shared encoder shares the input data’s latent representations with each of the 4 decoders. The 4 distinct dose distributions from each training patient are used as labels for the 4 corresponding decoders to supervise model training. The mean squared error, mean squared log error, and DVH losses are minimized during model training. The model trained until validation loss converged. The 4 dose distributions were predicted in ~ 1 minute per test patient, yielding 16 dose distributions in the test dataset. Model performance across the test dataset was evaluated by calculation of the mean absolute percent error (MAPE) of dose differences within the patient’s body between the model’s predicted doses and label doses, relative to patient prescription dose. Results: The performance of the multi-modal dose prediction model was evaluated in terms of dose differences throughout each patient’s body across the 16 test dose distributions as compared to the actual planned doses. The average MAPE of the multi-modal dose predictions was 1.27 ± 0.38% of a patient’s prescription dose as compared to the actual planned dose across the test dataset. For a prescription dose of 3000 cGy, that corresponds to an average MAPE of 38.1 ± 11.4 cGy. Conclusion: Our multi-modality dose prediction model’s novelty lies in its rapid provision and comparison of accurate and detailed dosimetric data for each treatment modality. This model can empower treating radiation oncologists to make informed decisions in radiation therapy machine selection on a patient-by-patient basis, potentially optimizing radiation treatment plans by reduction of delivered dose to organs at risk. Table. Citation Format: Austen Maniscalco, Ezek Mathew, David Parsons, Asal Rahimi, Mona Arbab, Prasanna Alluri, Xingzhe Li, Mu-Han Lin, Steve Jiang, Dan Nguyen. Deep learning guided radiation therapy machine selection via a multi-headed dose prediction model [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO4-07-01.

Comparison of bacterial species and clinical outcomes in patients with diabetic hand infection in tropical and nontropical regions.

Hand infection is a rare complication in patients with diabetes. Its clinical outcomes depend on the severity of hand infection caused by bacteria, but the difference in bacterial species in the regional disparity is unknown. The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of tropical and nontropical regions on bacterial species and clinical outcomes for diabetic hand. A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Moreover, the bacterial species and clinical outcomes were analyzed with respect to multicenter wound care in China (nontropical regions). Both mixed bacteria (31.2% vs. 16.6%, p = 0.014) and fungi (7.5% vs. 0.8%, p = 0.017) in the nontropical region were significantly more prevalent than those in the tropical region. Staphylococcus and Streptococcus spp. were dominant in gram-positive bacteria, and Klebsiella, Escherichia coli, Proteus and Pseudomonas in gram-negative bacteria occupied the next majority in the two regions. The rate of surgical treatment in the patients was 31.2% in the nontropical region, which was significantly higher than the 11.4% in the tropical region (p = 0.001). Although the overall mortality was not significantly different, there was atendencytobeincreased in tropical regions (6.3%) compared with nontropical regions (0.9%). However, amputation (32.9% vs. 31.3%, p = 0.762) and disability (6.3% vs. 12.2%, p = 0.138) were not significantly different between the two regions. Similar numbers of cases were reported, and the most common bacteria were similar in tropical and nontropical regions in patients with diabetic hand. There were more species of bacteria in the nontropical region, and their distribution was basically similar, except for fungi, which had differences between the two regions. The present study also showed that surgical treatment and mortality were inversely correlated because delays in debridement and surgery can deteriorate deep infections, eventually leading to amputation and even death.

Absorbable Versus Non-Absorbable Sutures for Facial Skin Closure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical and Aesthetic Outcomes

Introduction When repairing facial wounds, it is crucial to possess a thorough understanding of suitable suture materials and their evidence base. The absence of high-quality and comprehensive systematic reviews poses challenges in making informed decisions. In this study, we conducted a review of the existing literature and assessed the quality of the current evidence pertaining to the clinical, aesthetic, and patient-reported outcomes associated with absorbable and non-absorbable sutures for facial skin closure. Methods The study was registered on PROSPERO. We conducted searches on EMBASE, OVID, and PUBMED/MEDLINE databases. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were eligible for inclusion in this study. Additionally, the risk of bias in the randomized studies was assessed using Cochrane's Risk of Bias Tool. Results The study included a total of nine RCTs involving 804 participants with facial injuries. Among these injuries, absorbable sutures were utilized in 50.2% (403 injuries), while non-absorbable sutures were employed in 49.8% (401 injuries). The analysis of cosmesis scales revealed no statistically significant difference between absorbable and non-absorbable sutures regarding infections (p = 0.72), visual analog scale (p = 0.69), wound dehiscence (p = 0.08), and scarring (p = 0.46). The quality of the included studies was determined to have a low risk of bias. Conclusion Absorbable sutures can be considered a suitable alternative to non-absorbable sutures, as they demonstrate comparable aesthetic and clinical outcomes. Future high-quality studies with a level I evidence design and cost-effectiveness analysis are necessary to enhance clinician-patient shared decision-making and optimize the selection of suture materials.

The Efficacy of Telemental Health Interventions for Mood Disorders Pre-COVID-19: A Narrative Review.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic saw a significant surge in the utilization of telemental health (TMH) services. This narrative review aimed to investigate the efficacy of TMH for serious mood disorders prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. A search across databases was conducted for randomized controlled trials focusing on TMH interventions for mood disorders, encompassing major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD). Study and patient characteristics, interventions, and outcomes were extracted. From a pool of 2611 papers initially identified, 17 met the inclusion criteria: 14 focused on MDD, while 4 addressed BD. Among these, 6 papers directly compared TMH interventions to in-person ofsame treatment, revealing improved access to care and higher rates of appointment follow-up with TMH. Additionally, 6 papers comparing TMH to treatment as usual demonstrated improvements in mood outcomes. Conversely, 3 papers comparing different TMH interventions found no discernible differences in outcomes. Notably, 3 studies evaluated TMH as an adjunct to usual care, all reporting enhancements in depression outcomes. Overall, preliminary evidence suggests that prior to COVID-19, TMH interventions for serious mood disorders facilitated improved access to care and follow-up, with comparable clinical outcomes to traditional in-person interventions. The discussion addresses limitations and provides recommendations for future research in this domain.

Revision rate in metal compared to ceramic humeral head total shoulder arthroplasty and hemiarthroplasty.

Metal and ceramic humeral head bearing surfaces are available choices in anatomical shoulder arthroplasties. Wear studies have shown superior performance of ceramic heads, however comparison of clinical outcomes according to bearing surface in total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) and hemiarthroplasty (HA) is limited. This study aimed to compare the rates of revision and reoperation following metal and ceramic humeral head TSA and HA using data from the National Joint Registry (NJR), which collects data from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and the States of Guernsey. NJR shoulder arthroplasty records were linked to Hospital Episode Statistics and the National Mortality Register. TSA and HA performed for osteoarthritis (OA) in patients with an intact rotator cuff were included. Metal and ceramic humeral head prostheses were matched within separate TSA and HA groups using propensity scores based on 12 and 11 characteristics, respectively. The primary outcome was time to first revision and the secondary outcome was non-revision reoperation. A total of 4,799 TSAs (3,578 metal, 1,221 ceramic) and 1,363 HAs (1,020 metal, 343 ceramic) were included. The rate of revision was higher for metal compared with ceramic TSA, hazard ratio (HR) 3.31 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.67 to 6.58). At eight years, prosthesis survival for ceramic TSA was 98.7% (95% CI 97.3 to 99.4) compared with 96.4% (95% CI 95.2 to 97.3) for metal TSA. The majority of revision TSAs were for cuff insufficiency or instability/dislocation. There was no significant difference in the revision rate for ceramic compared with metal head HA (HR 1.33 (95% CI 0.76 to 2.34)). For ceramic HA, eight-year prosthetic survival was 92.8% (95% CI 86.9 to 96.1), compared with 91.6% (95% CI 89.3 to 93.5) for metal HA. The majority of revision HAs were for cuff failure. The rate of all-cause revision was higher following metal compared with ceramic humeral head TSA in patients with OA and an intact rotator cuff. There was no difference in the revision rate for HA according to bearing surface.

Comparison of Clinical Outcomes After Different Surgical Approaches for Lateral Epicondylitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is one of the most common causes of lateral elbow pain. When nonoperative treatment fails, 1 of the 3 surgical approaches-open, percutaneous, or arthroscopic-is used. However, determining which approach has the superior clinical outcome remains controversial. To review the outcomes of different operative modalities for LE qualitatively and quantitatively. Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. This review was performed and reported according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Studies published in PubMed, Medline (via EBSCO), and ScienceDirect databases that treated LE with open, percutaneous, or arthroscopic approaches with at least 12 months of follow-up were included. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool and the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies score. The primary outcome was the success rate of each operative treatment approach-open, percutaneous, and arthroscopic. From an initial search result of 603 studies, 43 studies (n = 1941 elbows) were ultimately included. The arthroscopic approach had the highest success rate (91.9% [95% CI, 89.2%-94.7%]) compared with the percutaneous (91% [95% CI, 87.3%-94.6%]) and open (82.7% [95% CI, 75.6%-89.8%]) approaches for LE surgery with changes in the mean visual analog scale pain score of 5.54, 4.90, and 3.63, respectively. According to the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score, the functional outcome improved in the arthroscopic group (from 54.11 to 15.47), the percutaneous group (from 44.90 to 10.47), and the open group (from 53.55 to 16.13). The overall improvement was also found in the Mayo Elbow Performance Score, the arthroscopic group (from 55.12 to 90.97), the percutaneous group (from 56.31 to 87.65), and the open group (from 64 to 93.37). Arthroscopic surgery had the highest rate of success and the best improvement in functional outcomes among the 3 approaches of LE surgery.

Comparison of clinical outcomes in patients with and without COVID-19 following surgical embolectomy for acute limb ischemia

Comparison of clinical outcomes in patients with and without COVID-19 following surgical embolectomy for acute limb ischemia