High Risk Of Complications Research Articles

Prevalence, Clinical Characteristics, and Treatment of Patients with Resistant Hypertension: A Single-Center Study.

Resistant hypertension (HTN) is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular complications. Our study aimed to assess the prevalence, characteristics, and treatment of patients with resistant HTN. We screened 4340 consecutive cardiovascular patients hospitalized in our clinic and identified 3762 with HTN. Of them, 128 fulfilled criteria for resistant HTN and were included in our study. We matched these patients to 128 hospitalized patients with controlled HTN. Resistant HTN patients comprised 3.4% of all hypertensive individuals. Most of these patients (67.2%) were at high or very high cardiovascular risk compared to controlled HTN patients (40.6%); p < 0001. Resistant HTN patients more commonly had concomitant chronic kidney disease (CKD) (60.9%), overweight/obesity (52.3%), dyslipidemias (35.2%), smoking (27.3%), and diabetes (21.9%) compared to controlled HTN patients (37.5%, 29.7%, 28.1%, 14.1%, and 7.8%, respectively); p < 0.001. Regression analysis showed the strongest association of resistant HTN with CKD (OR 6.64), stage III HTN (OR 3.07), and obesity/overweight (OR 2.60). In contrast, single-pill combinations (SPCs) were associated with a lower likelihood of uncontrolled HTN (OR 0.58). Resistant HTN represented a small proportion of all hypertensives in our study, but it was characterized by high/very high cardiovascular risk. Optimized therapy including increased use of SPCs could improve blood pressure control and long-term prognosis for these patients.

Integration of Hydrogels and 3D Bioprinting Technologies for Chronic Wound Healing Management.

The integration of hydrogel-based bioinks with 3D bioprinting technologies presents an innovative approach to chronic wound management, which is particularly challenging to treat because of its multifactorial nature and high risk of complications. Using precise deposition techniques, 3D bioprinting significantly alters traditional wound care paradigms by enabling the fabrication of patient-specific wound dressings that imitate natural tissue properties. Hydrogels are notably beneficial for these applications because of their abundant water content and mechanical properties, which promote cell viability and pathophysiological processes of wound healing, such as re-epithelialization and angiogenesis. This article reviews key 3D printing technologies and their significance in enhancing the structural and functional outcomes of wound-care solutions. Challenges in bioink viscosity, cell viability, and printability are addressed, along with discussions on the cross-linking and mechanical stability of the constructs. The potential of 3D bioprinting to revolutionize chronic wound management rests on its capacity to generate remedies that expedite healing and minimize infection risks. Nevertheless, further studies and clinical trials are necessary to advance these therapies from laboratory to clinical use.

Postoperative physical rehabilitation in the elderly patient after emergency surgery. Influence on functional, cognitive and quality of live recovery: study protocol for a randomized clinical trial

BackgroundThe progressive aging of the population has meant the increase in elderly patients requiring an urgent surgery. Older adults, especially those with frailty, have a higher risk for complications, functional and cognitive decline after urgent surgery. These patients have their functional and physiological reserve reduced which makes them more vulnerable to the effects of being bedridden. The consequences are at multiple levels emphasizing the functional loss or cognitive impairment, longer stays, mortality and institutionalization, delirium, poor quality of life and increased use of resources related to health.We aim to determine whether postoperative physical rehabilitation can prevent functional and cognitive decline and modify the posterior trajectory.Methods/designThis study is a randomized clinical trial, simple blinded, conducted in the Department of Surgery of a tertiary public hospital in Navarra (Hospital Universitario de Navarra), Spain. Patients > = 70 years old undergoing urgent abdominal surgery who meet inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. The intervention will consist of a multicomponent physical training programme, which will include progressive and supervised endurance, resistance and balance training for 4 weeks, twice weekly sessions with a total of 8 sessions, and the group control will receive the usual care. The primary outcome measure is the change in functional (SPPB) and cognitive status (Mini-Mental State Examination) and the change of quality of life (EuroQol-5D-VAS) during the study period. The secondary outcomes are postoperative complications, length of stay, delirium, mortality, use of health resources, functional status (Barthel Index and handgrip strength tests), cost per quality-adjusted life year and mininutritional assessment. The data for both the intervention group and the control group will be obtained at four different times: the initial visit during hospital admission and at months 1, 3 and 6 months after hospital discharge.DiscussionIf our hypothesis is correct, this project could show that individualized and progressive exercise programme provides effective therapy for improving the functional capacity and achieve a better functional, cognitive and quality of life recovery. This measure, without entailing a significant expense for the administration, probably has an important repercussion both in the short- and long-term recovery, improving care and functional parameters and could determine a lower subsequent need for health resources. To verify this, we will carry out a cost-effectiveness study.The clinical impact of this trial can be significant if we help to modify the traditional management of the elderly patients from an illness model to a more person-centred and functionally oriented perspective. Moreover, the prescription of individualized exercise can be routinely included in the clinical practice of these patients.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05290532. Version 1. Registered on March 13, 2022.

Adenomyosis: An Update Concerning Diagnosis, Treatment, and Fertility.

This review article aims to summarize current tools used in the diagnosis of adenomyosis with relative pharmacological and surgical treatment and to clarify the relative association between adenomyosis and infertility, considering the importance of an accurate diagnosis of this heterogeneous disease. Among different reported concepts, direction invagination of gland cells from the basalis endometrium deep into the myometrium is the most widely accepted opinion on the development of adenomyosis. Adenomyosis has been increasingly identified in young women with pain, AUB, infertility, or no symptoms by using imaging techniques such as transvaginal ultrasound and magnetic resonance. Furthermore, adenomyosis often coexists with other gynecological conditions, such as endometriosis and uterine fibroids, increasing the heterogeneity of available data. However, there is no agreement on the definition and classification of adenomyotic lesions from both the histopathology and the imaging points of view, and diagnosis remains difficult and unclear. A standard, universally accepted classification system needs to be implemented to improve our understanding and inform precise diagnosis of the type of adenomyosis. This could be the key to designing RCT studies and evaluating the impact of adenomyosis on quality of life in terms of menstrual symptoms, fertility, and pregnancy outcome, given the high risk of miscarriage and obstetric complications.

Resection or Ablation for Early Hepatobiliary Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis of Treatment Outcomes

Introduction: The optimal treatment for early hepatobiliary carcinoma (EHBC) remains controversial, with surgical resection and ablation offering distinct advantages and disadvantages. This meta-analysis aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of these two modalities in patients with EHBC. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar was conducted for studies published between 2018 and 2024 that reported on the outcomes of resection or ablation in EHBC. The primary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). The secondary outcomes included complication rates and length of hospital stay. Results: A total of 25 studies (n=4,512 patients) were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled analysis showed that resection was associated with significantly better OS (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.51-0.75, p&lt;0.001) and RFS (HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.47-0.71, p&lt;0.001) compared to ablation. However, resection was also associated with a higher risk of complications (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.32-2.54, p&lt;0.001) and a longer hospital stay (MD 3.2 days, 95% CI 2.1-4.3, p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: Resection offers superior long-term oncological outcomes compared to ablation in patients with EHBC. However, the choice of treatment should be individualized based on patient factors and tumor characteristics, considering the higher risk of complications and longer hospital stay associated with resection.

Lipid-Lowering Treatment Gaps in Patients after Acute Myocardial Infarction: Using Global Database TriNetX.

Background and Objectives: Patients with previous acute myocardial infarction are at significantly higher risk of recurrent events. Early and intensive lipid-lowering therapy targeting low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is a key strategy for reducing cardiovascular risk in post-acute myocardial infarction patients worldwide. This study aimed to assess patients' real-life lipid-lowering treatment gaps after acute myocardial infarction using a global network, TriNetX, of anonymous, real-time patient data. The uniqueness of the study was the use of the novel, evolving, and constantly improving TriNetX platform and the evaluation of its feasibility for clinical research. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on global repository patients in 2020, diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction, with a three-year follow-up. Results: After acute myocardial infarction, the prescribing rate of lipid-lowering medication (statins, ezetimibe and PCSK9I) was insufficient to reach target LDL-C values. The mean LDL-C level decreased from 2.7 mmol/L (103 mg/dL) as measured on the day of AMI to 1.97 mmol/L (76 mg/dL) between 31D and 3M. During the second and third years, the mean LDL-C value was stable (around 2.0 mmol/L (78 mg/dL)). LDL-C goals were not sufficiently reached, as only 7-12% of patients were reported to have LDL-C values < 55 mg/dL (1.4 mmol/L) and 13-20% of patients were reported to have LDL-C values < 70 mg/dL (1.8 mmol/L) during the follow-up periods. This means that a substantial number of patients remain at a very high risk for CV complications and mortality. Most cardiovascular complications happen within three months after acute myocardial infarction. Conclusions: Gaps remain between the recommendations for managing LDL-C in guidelines and what occurs in real life. The TriNetX platform is an innovative platform with significant potential and should be further developed for clinical research, as it enables the use of valuable interinstitutional data.

Potential risks of nonoperative management of appendicitis in high-risk patients

IntroductionThe popularity of nonoperative management for acute appendicitis is based on the untested assumption that it offers a lower risk alternative to surgery in patients who are at high risk for morbidity and mortality with appendectomy. We hypothesized that patients who were at a high risk with appendectomy would also be at a high risk for complications following nonoperative management. MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study of patients with acute, uncomplicated appendicitis in the 2004–2017 National Inpatient Sample. We used a logistic regression model to predict the risk of morbidity or mortality following appendectomy and applied this model to predict the risk of patients managed nonoperatively. High risk was defined as ≥2 standard deviations above the mean predicted risk of morbidity or mortality. We used inverse probability weighting of the propensity score to compare outcomes of nonoperative versus operative management for high-risk patients. ResultsThe sample included 21,242 high-risk patients with a median age of 68 years (interquartile range 57–78), and 31% were managed nonoperatively. Compared to surgery, nonoperative management was associated with a 9% decrease in complications (95% confidence interval [CI] 7%–10%), 2% increase in mortality (95% CI 2%–3%), $10,202 increase in hospital costs (95% CI $9,065–$11,339), 3-day increase in length of stay (95% CI 2–3), and 9% greater likelihood of discharge to skilled nursing facilities (95% CI 8%–10%). ConclusionNonoperative management of acute appendicitis in high-risk patients may reduce morbidity but increase mortality, duration of hospitalization, discharge to skilled facility, and costs. Surgeons should exercise caution when considering nonoperative management in these vulnerable patients.

Conventional versus cone-beam computed tomography in lung biopsy: diagnostic performance, risks, and the advantages of tract embolization with gelfoam particle suspension.

With the widespread adoption of computed tomography (CT) technology, the number of detected pulmonary nodules has gradually increased. CT-guided percutaneous needle biopsy has become the primary method for qualitative diagnosis of pulmonary nodules. Benefiting from its three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction capability, cone-beam CT (CBCT) technology has also been widely adopted. Nevertheless, pneumothorax remains the most common complication of these diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. This study assessed the diagnostic accuracy of conventional CT (CCT)- and CBCT-guided coaxial core needle biopsy (CCNB) and the effectiveness of gelfoam particle suspension in reducing complications through tract embolization. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 320 patients who had undergone CCNB for nodules ≤3 cm from January 2020 to June 2022 at Zhongshan People's Hospital, comprising 325 biopsies (145 CCT-guided and 180 CBCT-guided). Gelfoam tract embolization was specifically used in biopsies of patients identified with a high risk of complications. Comparative statistics involved diagnostic outcomes (sensitivity, specificity, accuracy), procedural lengths, complication occurrences, and radiation doses. Diagnostically, both CCT (sensitivity 93.3%, specificity 100%, accuracy 94.1%) and CBCT (sensitivity 92.8%, specificity 100%, accuracy 93.8%) offered a similarly high performance. The CCT technique was preferable in terms of shorter median operational times (19 vs. 24 minutes; P<0.001) and greater radiation exposure (13.9 vs. 10.1 mSv; P<0.001). The complication rates of CBCT and CCT, such as those of pneumothorax (18.9% vs. 20.7%; P=0.69) and hemorrhage (23.9% vs. 18.6%; P=0.25), were comparable. Of note, the comparison of biopsies with and without gelfoam embolization revealed a marked reduction in postoperative pneumothorax incidence (1.24% vs. 7.9%; P=0.004) and the requirement for drainage (0% vs. 4.27%; P=0.02), indicating the effectiveness of this procedure. CCT- and CBCT-guided lung biopsies demonstrate equivalent diagnostic capacities, with CCT providing shorter median operational times. Importantly, gelfoam embolization substantially diminishes the risk of postoperative pneumothorax, underscoring its value in high-risk patients.

Textbook outcome in short bowel syndrome

BackgroundTextbook outcome (TO) is a single composite score representing ideal care for a procedure or medical condition. Short bowel syndrome (SBS) patients are at high risk for complications and death. Our aim was to determine the incidence of and predictive factors for a TO in SBS patients. Methods515 adults with SBS were followed for 12 months after initial hospital discharge for SBS. TO was defined based on eight outcome parameters. Demographic data, intestinal anatomy, and nutritional outcome were compared in patients with and without TO. Results78 (15 ​%) patients had a TO. The frequency of the different components of TO were: PN ​< ​1 year (39 ​%), BMI >18.5 ​kg/m2 (89 ​%), no stoma (59 ​%), no surgical intervention (71 ​%), no hospital readmission (56 ​%), no vascular access infection (62 ​%), absence of end stage liver disease (96 ​%), and survival (97 ​%). Intestinal remnant length and anatomy type were predictive of a TO. ConclusionsA TO is achieved in 15 ​% SBS patients using the selected criteria. This is largely attributable to continued need for PN. Intestinal length and anatomy were independent predictors of TO.

Central versus peripheral VA ECMO for cardiogenic shock: an 8-year experience of a tertiary cardiac surgery center in Greece

BackgroundVenoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) has emerged as an effective rescue therapy in patients with cardiogenic shock refractory to standard treatment protocols, and its use has been rising worldwide in the last decade. Although experience and availability are growing, outcomes remain poor. There is need for evidence to improve clinical practice and outcomes. MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients who were supported with VA ECMO for cardiogenic shock at our institution between January 2015 and January 2023. The study purpose was to compare outcomes between patients who were supported with central versus peripheral configuration. ResultsECMO was applied in 108 patients, 48 (44%) of whom received central configuration and 60 (56%) peripheral. Patients supported with central VA ECMO were more likely to be supported for post-cardiotomy shock (odds ratio [OR] 4.6 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.03–10.41]), while patients in the peripheral group were predominantly treated for chronic heart failure decompensation (OR 9.4 [95% CI 1.16–76.3]). Central VA ECMO had lower survival rates during ECMO support (29.2% versus 51.7%, p = 0.018) and at discharge (8% versus 37%, p = 0.001). These patients were at high risk of complications, such as acute kidney injury (AKI) (OR 2.37 [95% CI 1.06–5.3], p = 0.034) and major bleeding (OR 3.08 [95% CI 1.36–6.94], p < 0.001). ConclusionsPatients on central VA ECMO were supported mainly for post-cardiotomy shock, presented with more complications such as major bleeding and AKI, and had worse survival to hospital discharge compared with patients on peripheral VA ECMO. Patient selection, timing of implementation, cannulation strategy, and configuration remain the main determinants of clinical outcome.

283. MODIFIED FRAILTY INDEX AND CLINICAL FRAILTY SCALE TOOLS ARE NOT GOOD PREDICTORS OF SURVIVAL AFTER MINIMALLY INVASIVE ESOPHAGECTOMY

Abstract Background Assessing frailty in elderly patients is pivotal for preoperative risk stratification. Whilst the modified Frailty-Index (m-FI) and Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) have been used to predict postoperative mortality and morbidity in various surgical contexts, their prognostic value for complications and overall survival following esophagectomy remains uncertain. Several studies have assessed pre-operative application of frailty indices and whether they have prognostic value for long-term postoperative outcomes, however, none have compared m-FI and CFS in patients undergoing esophagectomy. This study examines and compares m-FI and CFS with overall survival and post-operative complications in patients undergoing Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy (MIO). Methods We retrospectively analysed data from a prospectively maintained database, including patients aged ≥65 years undergoing MIO for esophageal cancer from January 2014 to December 2023, at a high-volume esophago-gastric tertiary centre. We compared the m-FI 11 and m-FI 5, CFS, all measuring frailty parameters in surgical patients. Frailty was defined as m-FI 11 ≥3, m-FI 5 ≥2, or CFS ≥4, based on the current literature evidence for application of these frailty assessment tools. Primary outcomes were 2- and 5-year all-cause mortality, with anastomotic leak, serious complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥IIIa) and average length of stay (LOS) as secondary outcomes. Results Among 174 patients (median age 72 years, range 65-85, male-to-female ratio 4:1), no significant associations were found between age, sex, TNM stage, and pre/post-op chemoradiotherapy within each scoring category. Neither tool showed significant associations for 2-, 5-year, and overall mortality (Table 1), nor for average length of stay. However, an m-FI 5 score ≥2 exhibited an odds ratio (OR) of 2.41 (95% CI 1.00–5.78, p = 0.049) for anastomotic leak, and a CFS score ≥4 had an OR of 2.46 (95% CI 1.02–5.90, p = 0.044) for serious complications. Conclusion In frail patients undergoing MIO, both the m-FI and CFS tools demonstrated no significant prognostic value for predicting overall survival. However, m-FI 5 ≥2 correlated significantly with anastomotic leaks, while CFS ≥4 correlated with serious complications. Relying on scoring tools for frailty assessment may inadvertently trivialise what is intended to be a multidimensional evaluation of health domains. Nevertheless, their utility in predicting complications should not be overlooked. We propose a more strategic use of frailty assessment tools to triage patients for comprehensive geriatric evaluation. This approach identifies patients at highest risk of complications and facilitates targeted prehabilitation for optimising outcomes.

The development of a novel navigation system for reverse shoulder arthroplasty and its accuracy: a phantom and cadaveric study.

Reverse shoulder arthroplasty has demonstrated excellent clinical efficacy for patients with shoulder joint diseases and is increasingly in demand. Traditional surgery faces challenges such as limited exposed surfaces and a narrow field of vision, leading to a shorter prosthesis lifespan and a higher risk of complications. In this study, an optical navigation system was proposed to assist surgeons in real-time tracking of the surgical scene. Our optical navigation system was developed using the NDI Polaris Spectra device and several open-source platforms. The first step involved using the preoperative medical image to plan screw implantation paths. Real-time tracking of the patient phantom or cadaver and the surgical instrument was achieved through registration and calibration algorithms. Surgeons were guided on drilling through visualization methods. Postoperative results were compared with the planned implantation paths, and an algorithm was introduced to correct errors caused by the incorrect beginning points. Experiments involved three scapula cadavers and their corresponding phantoms with identical anatomy. For each experiment, three holes were completed with drills with diameters of 3.2mm and 8.0mm, respectively. Comparisons between the postoperative actual screw implantation paths and the preoperative planned implantation paths revealed an entry error of 1.05 ± 0.15mm and an angle error of 2.47 ± 0.55° for phantom experiments. For cadaver experiments, the entry error was 1.53 ± 0.22mm, and the angle error was 4.91 ± 0.78°. Our proposed optical navigation system successfully achieved real-time tracking of the surgical site, encompassing the patient phantom or cadaver and surgical instrument, thereby aiding surgeons in achieving precise surgical outcomes. Future study will explore the integration of robots to further enhance surgical efficiency and effectiveness.

634. SURGICAL OUTCOMES OF ESOPHAGEAL CANCER PATIENTS BASED ON PRIOR COVID DIAGNOSIS

Abstract Background Since the Covid pandemic, many studies have been performed to determine the impact of Covid on surgical outcomes. Many researchers have found that prior Covid diagnosis puts surgical patients at higher risk of complication and mortality. The aim of this study is to determine if esophageal cancer patients undergoing esophagectomy are at higher risk based on previous Covid status. Methods The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried for all patients who underwent esophagectomy for cancer in 2020. This study was limited to the 2020 database as this was the year that Covid status was added to the NCDB registry. Patients with a Covid history and without a Covid history were compared. Only patients with complete Covid information were included in this study. Peri-operative outcomes including hospital length of stay and 30-day readmission were compared between groups. Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were performed to compare continuous variables between groups and Chi-square/Fisher’s exact tests were performed to compare categorical variables between groups. Results A total of 2387 patients met inclusion criteria, of which 114 (5%) had prior diagnosis of Covid and 2273 (95%) did not have prior Covid. There were no significant differences regarding basic demographics, including age, gender, neoadjuvant therapy, or pathologic staging. Both groups had similar rates of minimally invasive techniques and conversions to open surgery. There was no difference regarding 30-day readmission, however, the Covid group had a statistically longer hospital length of stay, 9 days (IQR 6-15) vs 8 days (IQR 1-11), p=0.007. On logistic regression, Covid was an independent predictor of increased overall length of stay (p=0.045). Conclusion Despite previous evidence that Covid patients may experience more surgical complications than their non-Covid counterparts, this NCDB study of esophageal patients undergoing esophagectomy demonstrated similar baseline demographics and outcomes with the only significant difference being longer hospital length of stay. Further research is necessary to determine risk of previous Covid diagnosis in surgical outcomes.

Frequency and Pattern of Anomalous Origin of Coronary Artery in Bangladeshi Population: Coronary Angiogram Based Single Center Study

Background: Anomalous origin of coronary artery (AOCA) has been traditionally described by coronary angiography or autopsy. However the actual prevalence of such abnormalities is unknown in general Bangladeshi population. Beside conventional coronary angiogram(CAG), CT CAG and Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) offers higher possibility to visualize AOCA non-invasively. The purpose of this study was to report the prevalence AOCA in Bangladeshi population by using conventional CAG. Methodology: This was a single center, cross sectional, observational study, done in department of Cardiology, BSMMU over 1 year period. Sample size was 1167. Samples were taken following inclusion and exclusion criteria. Descriptive statistical analysis was done by using SPSS v29.0 Results: 1.3% population had AOCA. Commonest (0.6%) was ‘absent Left main (LM) with separate origin of Left Anterior Descending (LAD) and Left Circumflex (LCX) artery. Second commonest (0.45%) was ‘Right Coronary Artery (RCA) arising from left sinus’. 0.17% had RCA highup origin, and 0.08% had RCA origin from posterior sinus. Discussion: Among AOCA, RCA origin from left sinus, is potentially dangerious, due to high risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) and surgical complications. Other varities of AOCA are mostly benign, but it may cause difficulties in cannulation during coronary angiography and coronary artery bypass surgery. Conclusion: Although coronary artery anomalies are rare, they may cause difficulties during coronary interventions or cardiac surgery and may occasionally result in sudden cardiac death. So, optimum precaution to findout the AOCA is needed during conventional CAG, and if suspicion, CT CAG and MDCT should also be used. (Bangladesh Heart Journal 2024; 39(2): 117-120

ГИПЕРТОНИЧЕСКИЕ КРИЗЫ: ЭВОЛЮЦИЯ ВЗГЛЯДОВ, ЛЕЧЕБНАЯ ТАКТИКА

Рatients with arterial hypertension have a high risk of cardiovascular complications, especially in patients with uncontrolled hypertension, the course of which is often accompanied by the development of hypertensive crises. The article resents the evolution of views on the classification of hypertensive crises and treatment depending on the complications that have developed.

Temporary halo fixation and radiotherapy as alternative to long-construct spondylodesis in patients with multiple unstable cervical metastases

Background and purposeCurrently no minimally invasive surgical treatment exists to provide immediate stability for unstable cervical/cervicothoracic metastases. Long-construct spondylodesis carries a high complication risk and has severe impact on residual range of motion. This study explores temporary halo fixation and radiotherapy as an alternative to long-construct cervical spondylodesis. Materials and methodsThis retrospective cohort study included twenty patients with multiple unstable cervical metastases treated between 2013–2023. All patients underwent halo fixation for an intended duration of three months to allow for safe reossification of lytic lesions following radiotherapy, with a dose fractionation scheme best suited to the histological origin of the tumor. ResultsImmobilization with halo fixation lasted a median 83 days (range, 41–132 days). Radiotherapy started on average 7 days after halo fixation (range, −35–118 days). The median pain score at baseline was 8, and was 0 at halo removal and at last follow-up. All patients had no or minor neurological deficits at baseline and did not develop new neurological deficits. At halo removal, 17/18 patients showed radiographic evidence of reossification. The majority of patients experienced minor limitations or had full range of motion of the neck at last follow-up. ConclusionPatients with multiple unstable cervical metastases treated with halo fixation and radiotherapy showed complete pain response or substantial pain reduction, reossification of the vertebrae and a, mostly, preserved range of motion. In selected neurologically intact patients, this treatment might be a patient-friendly alternative to fixation. Prospective evaluation of this treatment combination is needed.

Obstetric outcomes in the expectant management of cesarean scar pregnancy with fetal heart activity: a single-center retrospective cohort study.

Cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) is a high-risk complication characterized by the implantation of a pregnancy within a cesarean scar resulting from a previous delivery. Currently, clinical indicators guiding the expectant management of patients with CSP are lacking. We thus aimed to evaluate pregnancy and neonatal outcomes among women who underwent expectant CSP management and to investigate whether sonographic signs correlated with obstetric outcomes. We retrospective reviewed the electronic medical records and first-trimester transvaginal ultrasonography reports of consecutive patients diagnosed with CSP in the first trimester at the West China Second University Hospital from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2022. Pregnancy outcomes (emergency surgery, blood loss, and rescue) and neonatal outcomes (gestational age at delivery, neonatal weight, and Apgar scores) were examined. A binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify independent risk factors that could predict severe complications. The final analysis included 54 patients. The mean age of the pregnant women was 34±4 years. Among the 54 patients, 14 (25.9%) did not progress to 20 weeks of gestation. Pregnancy continued beyond 20 weeks in 40 patients, with 37 live births (92.5%) and 3 stillbirths (7.5%). Moreover, 7 (17.5%) and 33 (82.5%) patients delivered before and after 34 weeks, respectively. Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) and placenta previa were confirmed in 29 (72.5%) and 17 (42.5%) patients, respectively. Hysterectomy, emergency cesarean section, and rescue surgery were performed in 5 (12.5%), 15 (37.5%), and 22 (55.5%) patients, respectively. Patients with a visible niche were significantly more likely to have preterm labor, PAS, placenta previa, low-birth-weight newborns, higher blood loss, intraoperative rescue, blood transfusion, and first-trimester vaginal bleeding than were those without one (all P values <0.05). Our study showed that expectant management of CSP to achieve live birth might be feasible. Patients with a visible niche exhibited worse outcomes, with a higher incidence of severe delivery complications.

A Rare Case of Pyogenic and Tuberculous Co-Infection

CNS co-infections by pyogenic and tuberculosis are uncommon infectious processes, with few cases reported to date. These superadded bacterial infections during CNS tuberculosis present usually atypical clinical manifestations. Bacterial meningitis is a rare but severe complication of patients with spondylodiscitis. CNS tuberculosis has a broad spectrum of disease patterns and a high risk of complications and mortality. Although bacterial infection of the central nervous system (CNS) is a lifethreatening neurological emergency only few papers reported. Here We report a case of 48 year old diabetic male who was diagnosed with Neurotuberculosis with bacterial meningitis and cervical spondylodiscitis and treated with both Antibiotics and Anti-Tuberculous drugs and patient improved symptomatically. Keywords: Bacterial meningitis, TB Meningitis, Cervical Spondylodiscitis, Anti-Tuberculous drugs.

Teenagers and Adolescents with Hemophilia-Need for a Specific Approach.

Adolescents with hemophilia are a patient population with special requirements, having to manage their condition alongside the typical challenges of adolescence. Given the psychosocial impact of hemophilia and a desire to fit in with non-hemophilic peers, they may perceive treatment as more of a burden than a benefit. This can result in low adherence and a high risk of hemophilia-related complications. Hemophilia management has changed over time. To best inform shared decision-making with adolescent patients and their families, healthcare professionals must consider all the currently available evidence, highlighting treatment benefits as appropriate. They should also appreciate the requirements of all adolescents affected by hemophilia, including individuals with non-severe disease and girls/women. We discuss specific issues relating to the management of adolescents with hemophilia: prevention and management of bleeds, treatment adherence, joint health and physical activity, and other health-related issues. A multidisciplinary approach is advocated, and the potential role of digital technology in helping to equip patients with self-management skills to fully engage with treatment is considered. Currently, available hemophilia management generally enables adolescents with hemophilia to lead normal lives, participating in physical activities while maintaining good joint health. However, more work is required to help address both actual and perceived limitations.

METHOXYFLURANE: A HISTORICAL REVIEW AND SAFETY ANALYSIS OF ITS USE AS AN ANALGESIC IN EMERGENCY AND OUTPATIENT PROCEDURES

OMethoxyflurane, introduced as an anesthetic agent in the 1960s, quickly gained popularity due to its potent properties. However, its use as an anesthetic was discontinued due to significant side effects, particularly nephrotoxicity, manifested as acute renal failure with high diuresis. By the mid-1970s, methoxyflurane was withdrawn from the anesthetic market in North America and gradually worldwide. It was later discovered that low-dose methoxyflurane had powerful analgesic properties, allowing its use for short-term pain relief in traumatic injuries and during ambulatory procedures. Australian emergency services began using portable methoxyflurane inhalers for emergency care. Clinical trials confirmed the effectiveness of this agent, with no significant side effects such as renal or hepatic toxicity reported. The physicochemical properties of methoxyflurane, particularly its high lipid solubility and low vapor pressure, provide a slow onset of sedation, limiting its sedative effects when used short-term. Clinical studies have confirmed the safety and efficacy of methoxyflurane in conducting ambulatory procedures such as colonoscopy and burn wound dressing changes. Methoxyflurane reduces anxiety and pain, allowing patients to return to normal activities more quickly. Thus, methoxyflurane, used as a low-dose inhaled analgesic, can be an effective and safe pain relief option during ambulatory medical and surgical procedures, particularly in patients at high risk of complications from traditional sedation methods. Further research, including large randomized controlled trials, may provide additional evidence to support the potential benefits of methoxyflurane.