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Anatomical and histological observations of fore- and hind limb toes in adult mice after amputations performed at the age of two weeks.

Amputation of fore- and hind limb toes in order to numerically identify mice, although an effective and conditionally accepted method, is an ethical issue because of the pain involved and because of the detrimental long term side effects that may be encountered. In transgenic mice sacrificed between the ages of 1 and 1-1/2 y, and in which toe amputations were performed at the age of 2 wk, we observed anatomical (n = 60) and histological (n = 10) changes in bones and soft tissues. In stumps, meduallary cavities of sectioned phalanges became sealed and, therefore, some regrowth must have occurred distal to the amputation plane. However, an important increase in width is seen in the diaphysis of transected bones (P < 0.001) when compared to normal phalanges. Normal epidermis-dermis reorganisation occurred in the stumps. Therefore, when considering solely detrimental long-term side effects related to bone growth and tissue reorganization, toe amputations to numerically identify mice seems an acceptable procedure.

Amputation, Surgical↗

Development and pilot-testing of a decision aid for women with a breech-presenting baby.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a decision aid for pregnant women with a breech presentation at term, and to assess its acceptability. METHODS: The external cephalic version (ECV) decision aid was developed using the Ottawa Decision Support Framework and a systematic review of the evidence to provide probabilistic information about the benefits and risks of options. It incorporates a workbook supplemented by a CD and worksheet, and these were evaluated in a pilot study using self-administered questionnaires. PARTICIPANTS: 19 women with a breech presentation attending antenatal clinics at a local obstetric hospital and 11 recently pregnant women. FINDINGS: Of 30 women surveyed, nearly all found the decision aid clear and easy to understand, and thought that enough information was provided for them to make a decision. Women experienced increased knowledge, reduced decisional conflict, increased satisfaction and participation in decision making without increased anxiety. Participants also found the tool helpful and would recommend it to others. KEY CONCLUSIONS: The ECV decision aid was well accepted and helpful for pregnant women with a breech presenting baby. We are currently evaluating the decision aid in a randomised trial to assess cognitive, affective and health outcomes.

Adult↗

Enterocystoplasty and renal transplantation.

PURPOSE: We report on our experience with renal transplantation in patients with severe chronic bladder contracture who underwent prior intestinal bladder augmentation, and assess the safety of the procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 7 patients with severe alterations to the lower urinary tract and renal insufficiency underwent enterocystoplasty before renal transplantation. The etiologies of the bladder dysfunction were bladder contraction secondary to urinary tuberculosis in 4 cases, neurogenic bladder secondary to myelomeningocele in 1, chronic cystitis secondary to intravesical instillation of glutaraldehyde in 1 and hyperreflexic, contracted bladder in 1. Mean patient age was 38.4 years (range 19 to 57). The intestinal segment used was ileal conduit in 6 cases and an ileocaecal segment in 1. All 7 patients have received renal transplant from cadaveric donors. RESULTS: Graft survival rate was 100% and graft function was good after a mean followup of 48 months (range 8 to 97). Of the patients 6 are continent and void spontaneously and 1 requires intermittent self-catheterization. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience bladder augmentation is an acceptable method, although not exempt from complications, for patients with alterations to the lower urinary tract and who are candidates for renal transplantation.

Adult↗

Edge detection versus densitometry for assessing coronary stenting quantitatively.

The optimal method used to analyze quantitatively the immediate angiographic results of coronary stenting in the coronary arteries has not been studied. Accordingly, minimal luminal cross-sectional area was determined by 2 methods, edge detection and densitometry, in 19 patients who underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and then coronary stent implantation for symptomatic coronary stenoses. The correlation coefficient, 0.73 before angioplasty, decreased to 0.59 after coronary angioplasty and then increased to 0.83 after stent implantation. The mean differences between edge detection and densitometric determinations of minimal luminal cross-sectional area were 0.31 +/- 0.51 mm2 before PTCA, -0.38 +/- 1.22 mm2 after angioplasty and 0.35 +/- 0.79 mm2 after coronary stenting. It is concluded that, although the correlation and variability in the measurement of minimal luminal cross-sectional area between edge detection and densitometry deteriorate after PTCA, they are improved after stenting, probably because of smoothing of the vessel contours by the stent and remodeling of the stented segment into a more circular configuration. Therefore, in the stented coronary artery, edge detection and densitometry are equally acceptable methods of analysis.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Menstrual and contraceptive issues among young women with developmental delay: a retrospective review of cases at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto.

OBJECTIVES: To define the clinical characteristics of, and management options offered to, young women with developmental delay referred to The Hospital for Sick Children gynecology clinic in Toronto for menstrual suppression and contraception. To review the primary caregiver concerns and preferences with regards to menstruation and contraception. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of hospital records of young women with developmental delay referred to the gynecology clinic at The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto from 1998 to 2003. RESULTS: A total of 72 charts were reviewed from clinic visits between 1998 to 2003. Ages range from 8 to 17 years with an unknown cause of their cognitive disability in 44% and medium to high support needs in the majority. Forty-three percent were still premenarcheal when first brought to the gynecology clinic by their families or caregivers. The main reason for consult was menstrual-related in 90%, with concerns related to hygiene and problems coping. CONCLUSIONS: Caregivers often approach physicians for menstrual suppression prior to menarche with a primary concern of personal hygiene. Medical suppression of menstruation can be successfully achieved. Depo-Provera was the most commonly prescribed and accepted method of menstrual suppression within our population.

Adolescent↗

Multicenter study of the Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM): II. Acceptability, utility, and policy implications.

A multicenter study of the Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) was carried out to determine acceptability, satisfaction, and utilization in 10 different populations, and to confirm the efficacy of the method. Efficacy data are presented in a companion paper. A protocol was designed at the Institute for Reproductive Health (IRH), Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Georgetown University Medical Center, and reviewed and modified in collaboration with the co-sponsors, the World Health Organization, the South-to-South Cooperation for Reproductive Health, and the principal investigators from each site. Data were gathered prospectively on LAM users at 11 sites. Data were entered and cleaned on-site, and further cleaned and analyzed at IRH, using country-level and pooled data to produce descriptive statistics. The overall satisfaction with LAM was 83.6%, and continuation with another method of family planning was shown to be 67.6% at 9 months postpartum, in most cases exceeding previous use of contraception prior to use of LAM. Knowledge and understanding of the method at discontinuation were high, ranging from 78.4 to 88.6% for the three criteria. LAM can be used with a high level of satisfaction and success by women in a variety of cultures, health care settings, socio-economic strata, and industrial and developing country settings. The results confirm that LAM is acceptable and ready for widespread use, and should be included in the range of services available in maternal and child health, family planning, and other primary health care settings.

Adult↗

Case studies in osteoporosis: a problem based learning intervention for family physicians.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and evaluate a practice based small group (PBSG) learning intervention on osteoporosis for primary care physicians. METHODS: A needs assessment on osteoporosis was performed and objectives for a continuing medical education (CME) program developed by an interdisciplinary advisory committee. Nine clinical cases were developed for evaluation by CME participants with a trained facilitator and content expert using the PBSG format. The effect of the CME intervention was evaluated using a pre and post-test consisting of objective structured clinical examination stations and standardized patients. RESULTS: Fifty-four family physicians participated in 4 pilot PBSG learning sessions. The program format, content, and participant satisfaction was highly rated (> 3.35:4.0). Participants expected the program to have a significant effect on the practices (3:40:4.0). Ninety-eight percent of participants improved their pretest scores, with a mean increase of 13% (range 1-36%). CONCLUSION: Based on our experience, we advocate the use of PBSG learning interventions as an effective and acceptable method of providing CME by rheumatologists for their family physician colleagues. This format appears to be associated with a significant effect on knowledge, skills, and behavior as assessed by our study.

Aged↗

[The acceptability of the health services contract by the primary care health professionals in Madrid: a qualitative research].

BACKGROUND: The objective of this paper is to study whether the Contrato Programa-based management formula between INSALUD and Primary Care Managerships (CP) is known by INSALUD-Madrid primary care physicians and nurses, as well as which factors are influencing its acceptability. METHODS: Qualitative-based analysis and interpretation of the discussion had in five health personnel groups was used. RESULTS: The Health Service Contract is known by primary care health personnel as "self-management". This word induces them to think in the management of teams by their physicians themselves. Based on this self-management, physicians would plan staffs with minimal representation of nurses personnel, in exchange for increasing medical and administrative personnel, which in fact would solve their main problems, i.e. attendance pressure and bureaucracy, in addition to relationships with nurses. Determinants of this response relate to the satisfaction level with the Primary Care Reform attained by these collectives. This Reform has produced a "subjective equality" in both collectives, conditioned by fault in authority by physicians, which is desired by nurses and rejected by physicians. CONCLUSIONS: Health Service Contract in Primary Care is generally accepted by physicians, except for pediatricians, and rejected by nurses. Reasons are related to the ability from both collectives to recuperate the difference between them.

Contract Services↗

Computer-aided three dimensional assessment of knee-joint cartilage with magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVE: An MRI-based technique for non-invasive assessment of the quantitative distribution of articular cartilage in the knee-joint was to be developed, and its accuracy and reproducibility tested. DESIGN: Three cadaveric specimens and one patient were studied and MRI measurements compared with anatomical sections or arthroscopy. BACKGROUND: Data on articular cartilage thickness is needed for the design of computer models, determination of cartilage material properties from arthroscopy and staging of osteoarthrosis. METHODS: The knees were imaged using strongly T2-weighted spin-echo and FISP-3D sequences. After digital subtraction and automatic segmentation, three-dimensional reconstruction of the cartilages was performed. Surface areas, volumes and the mean cartilage thickness were calculated, and the regional distribution displayed after trigonometric correction. RESULTS: The difference between MRI volumes and those obtained from the sections ranged from 4 to 21% with a reproducibility of +/-4 to +/-12% after repositioning. The thickness maps obtained with MRI were very similar to those from the sections. In the patient, a full-thickness defect demonstrated with MRI was verified by arthroscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Using the technique presented, the quantitative distribution of knee-joint cartilage may be analysed non-invasively, accurately, and in a very time-effective manner, in cadavers and in living subjects. RELEVANCE: To date there exists no accepted method for the accurate, fast and non-invasive assessment of articular cartilage thickness. Such a technique is, however, very helpful for generating computer models of diarthrodial joints, determination of cartilage material properties during arthroscopy, staging of joint disease, and objective control of chondroprotective treatment.

Journal Article↗

Comparison of adolescent and adult experiences with Norplant levonorgestrel contraceptive implants.

OBJECTIVE: To compare acceptability, tolerance of side effects, and continuation rates among adolescent and adult Norplant accepters. METHODS: An 18-month observational study was conducted of 136 adolescents and 542 adults who received Norplant at the Francis Scott Key Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland. Data were collected from the following: a self-administered history form completed at the preinsertion visit, a self-administered follow-up form completed at routine follow-up visits, problem-visit chart review, and telephone contact for patients noncompliant with follow-up appointments. RESULTS: The adolescents ranged in age from 13-18 years (mean 16.4), and adults ranged in age from 19-46 (mean 24.7). The mean parity among teenagers was 1.4; among adults, 3.2. Thirty-nine percent of teenagers and 64% of adults had had one or more therapeutic abortions. Forty percent of adolescents and 47% of adults reported at least one contraceptive failure in the past. Both adolescent and adult Norplant accepters made few telephone calls or problem visits because of complaints or side effects. Compliance with routine annual follow-up was poor for adolescents (24 of 136, 18%) and adults (72 of 542, 13%). Follow-up of noncompliant patients revealed low rates of implant removal. Fifteen adolescents (11%) and 60 adults (11%) had Norplant removed. The most common reasons for removal included irregular bleeding, weight gain, headaches, and desire for pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Implant acceptability, continuation, and tolerance of side effects were high and comparable among adolescent and adult accepters. Initial implant users were primarily adolescents or adults who had experienced problems with other forms of reversible contraception. Adherence to scheduled follow-up appointments was poor, regardless of age.

Adolescent↗

Benefits associated with a respiratory care assessment-treatment program: results of a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: During the months of July, August, and September 1993, we implemented a respiratory care assessment-treatment pilot study on the orthopedic surgery floor in our hospital. The purpose of the study was to determine feasibility and establish cost-effective treatment plans with quality patient outcomes, while maintaining appropriate communications with physicians and nursing staff. STUDY DEVELOPMENT & IMPLEMENTATION: The study's Task Force developed protocols for oxygen therapy, aerosolized medication therapy, volume expansion therapy, and bronchial hygiene therapy using the American Association for Respiratory Care's Clinical Practice Guidelines as supporting documents. Meetings were held with the orthopedic surgeons and nursing staff to inform them of the key components of the pilot program. Ten patient evaluators were trained to assess patients and implement treatment plans. EVALUATION METHODS: A reference book was established that contained the protocols and support material. Patient outcomes were evaluated using previously established quality assurance plans. The length of stay, procedural volume, and cost data were collected. EVALUATION RESULTS: More than 50% of the orders received during the pilot program were for "Respiratory Care Protocol." This allowed the patient care evaluator the flexibility to initiate one of the approved protocols if indicated. No changes in patient outcomes were noted and average length of stay remained unchanged during the pilot study compared to the base period. Treatment volumes decreased, resulting in identified cost savings of $5,318 during the study. Nurses and physicians supported protocol implementation, and increased communication among caregivers was documented. We believe that professionalism of the RCPs was enhanced without compromising the ultimate decision-making responsibilities of the physician. CONCLUSIONS: The use of respiratory care protocols is an acceptable method of developing clinically effective and fiscally responsible care plans. RCPs at our hospital were able to implement care plans that resulted in cost savings without a measured change in patient outcomes. Approval has been extended from the Executive Committee of the medical staff to expand hospital-wide.

Clinical Protocols↗

Breast-conserving surgery with resection of the nipple-areola complex for subareolar breast carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Breast-conserving therapy for centrally located tumours has in the past been viewed with reservation, but is now an accepted treatment. There is little published evidence, however, to show that it is safe and cosmetically acceptable. METHODS: In a prospective investigation carried out between 1996 and 2002, 44 women had surgery for 45 breast carcinomas with suspected nipple involvement. The breast was conserved and the nipple-areola complex removed. Secondary mastectomy was performed in three women because the tumour was found to reach the resection margin. Forty-one women underwent further observation. The mean tumour size at the time of operation was 18 (range 4-50) mm. Six women received preoperative chemotherapy. RESULTS: Histologically, there were seven preinvasive and 35 invasive cancers. No local failure had occurred at a median follow-up of 51 months. Six women developed distant metastasis, of whom five died. The mean score for cosmetic results (evaluated on a scale of 1-5 where a score of 1 was excellent) was 1.5 for patients and 1.7 for physicians. CONCLUSION: Breast-conserving therapy is a safe and cosmetically acceptable alternative to mastectomy for subareolar breast cancer.

Adult↗

[Computerized tomography of the epiphyseal union of the medial clavicle: an auxiliary method of age determination during adolescence and the 3d decade of life?].

PURPOSE: To establish a reference population for the stages of epiphyseal union of the medical clavicle determined by CT. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospectively, the thoracic CTs of patients under 30 years of age were reevaluated. Basic conditions were the lack of a bone development disorder and a sufficient assessment of the medial clavicle in a bone window setting. The stages of epiphyseal union were categorized as follows: Stage 1 refers to nonunion without ossification of the epiphysis, Stage 2 to nonunion with a separate and ossified epiphysis, Stage 3 to partial, and Stage 4 to complete union. RESULTS: Up to now, 279 individuals could be included in the study. Stage 1 was observed till age 16, Stage 2 occurred from ages 13 through 22, Stage 3 was found from ages 16 through 26. Stage 4 was first noted at age 22, and in 100% of the sample at age 27. CONCLUSIONS: CT is well suitable to determine the stages of epiphyseal union of the medial clavicle. It may become a generally accepted method of age identification during adolescence and the 3rd decade of life. The presented data serve as a reference population at least for white Europeans.

Adolescent↗

Preservation of the facial artery in excision of the submandibular salivary gland.

BACKGROUND: The accepted method for submandibular gland excision traditionally includes ligation of the facial artery (FA) as suggested by a host of surgical atlases. Preservation of the FA may be significant in reconstructive procedures of the head and neck and its ligation may altogether be obviated. OBJECTIVE: Prospective feasibility study of FA preservation in submandibular gland excision. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing excision of the submandibular salivary glands from September 1999 through August 2001 were prospectively included. The FA was dissected and only its glandular branches ligated. Exclusion criteria were primary benign or malignant tumors of the submandibular salivary gland or metastatic disease involving the gland or level I of the neck. In cases where the primary tumor involved the floor of mouth, anterior tongue or mandible, resection of level I contents included the FA even in N0 necks. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: 104 patients (116 procedures) were included in the study. 81 patients underwent resection of the gland with preservation of the FA. The vessel was sacrificed in 35 necks because of metastases or primary tumor and in two cases of chronic sialadenitis. One patient had a postoperative hematoma following neck dissection requiring re-exploration. The source of bleeding was not found to be related to the FA. Contrary to accepted methodology, the FA may readily be preserved in surgery of the submandibular salivary glands. We suggest preservation of the FA in all cases of procedures for benign disease and in selected cases of malignancy.

Aged↗

Surgical aspects of paediatric cochlear implantation.

Cochlear implantation in the paediatric population is now an accepted method of rehabilitating profoundly or totally deaf children. The problems of cochlear implantation in children with other significant medical problems are examined. A retrospective review of the records of the first 45 children implanted at our centre was carried out. The review focused on surgical factors and outcome in addition to variations in technique which have occurred since the programme began. Congenital hearing loss was the most common indication for implantation. Fifteen children (33 per cent) had other medical problems. Three cases of flap breakdown (two occurring after direct trauma to the package bed) and one case of a misplaced electrode requiring re-implantation accounted for the only major complications to date. Minor complications included hypertrophic scar formation and post-operative wound infection. All children were using their implants at the time of this review, but two have subsequently been explanted. Cochlear implantation of children with multiple medical problems requires acceptance of a slightly higher risk of complications.

Adolescent↗

Trends in the incidence, clinical presentation, and management of traumatic rupture of the corpus cavernosum.

BACKGROUND: Recent observations in our hospital of apparent increase in frequency prompted a revisit to the subject of fracture of penis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective review, patients' age, marital status, and causal activities; clinical presentations; methods of management; operative findings; and postoperative complications were analyzed for changing trends. Literature was also reviewed briefly. RESULTS: Nineteen episodes of penile fracture in 18 patients exceed the previous incidence by more than 58%. Most were due to noncoital causes (73.7%); more unmarried people (31.6%) were affected. Most presented with the classic symptoms/signs, and tears were repaired by degloving through subcoronal incisions; one was treated conservatively. The higher morbidity observed was attributed to higher rates of hematoma and wound infections, probably enhanced by poor hemostasis and early persistent, postoperative erections. Painful erections, painful coitus, and deformities, however subsided within weeks, with no long-term ill effects. CONCLUSION: The incidence of penile fracture, postoperative hematoma, and infections has increased; about 32% of the patients were unmarried. The prominence of masturbation as a cause of penile fracture and increased ratio of noncoital to coital causes are highlighted. Degloving through subcoronal incisions remains an acceptable method of approach for repair in line with cultural practices in Saudi Arabia.

Adult↗

[Use of mercury porosimetry, assisted by nitrogen adsorption in the investigation of the pore structure of tablets].

The microstructure of pharmaceutical solid dosage forms (porosity, pore volume-size distribution, specific surface area) can be investigated by different methods. Mercury porosimetry and nitrogen gas adsorption have been widely used to characterize the pore structure of tablets because these methods enable the determination of porosity and pore size distribution in one step. The two techniques are based on different physical interactions and cover specific ranges of pore size. Mercury porosimetry determines mesopores and macropores, whereas gas adsorption covers the micropore range. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the compression force and the structure of tablets containing theophylline. The porosity parameters determined with mercury porosimetry and nitrogen adsorption were compared. The results indicated a good correlation between the applied compression forces and the porosity parameters of the tablets. The pore volume-size distributions, the pore size frequencies and the specific surface areas obtained with mercury porosimetry and nitrogen adsorption were not equal, which can be attributed to the different measurement ranges and to the complexity of the pore structures. Our results allow the conclusion that mercury porosimetry, assisted by nitrogen adsorption as a complementary technique, is an acceptable method to achieve a proper characterization of the internal structure of tablets.

Adsorption↗

Deep brain stimulation for chronic pain: results of two multicenter trials and a structured review.

OBJECTIVES: A U.S. Food and Drug Administration ruling required clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of deep brain stimulation devices, thereby limiting treatment to the investigational setting. INTRODUCTION: As an investigator in two clinical trials of deep brain stimulation, I sought to determine why pain remained an unapproved indication despite regulatory approval of the same device for tremor. METHODS: The results of two multicenter trials of deep brain stimulation for pain were analyzed, and the pertinent literature was reviewed using published guidelines for the evaluation of clinical trial reports. RESULTS: The first-generation Model 3380 lead trial enrolled 196 patients; the current Model 3387 trial enrolled 50 patients. Prospectively defined criteria for success included at least half of patients reporting >/=50% pain relief at 1 year. Manufacture of the Model 3380 lead was discontinued, and the 3387 trial closed early because of slow enrollment, high attrition, and low efficacy. When results were analyzed according to the study plan, neither trial was successful. Consequently, deep brain stimulation has not been approved for pain control by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. CONCLUSIONS: Deep brain stimulation has not been shown to produce effective long-term pain relief. Future studies of motor cortex stimulation and similar therapies will require appropriate control groups and accepted methods of data collection and analysis to support claims that predictable and reliable analgesic effects are produced in humans.

Journal Article↗