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Side effects of COVID-19 vaccines in paediatric patients: a review systematic and meta-analysis protocol

Por: Freitas · C. L. · Sarmento · A. C. A. · Serquiz · N. · Nobre · M. L. · Costa · A. P. F. · Medeiros · K. S. · Goncalves · A. K.
Introduction

The paediatric population represents a quarter of the world’s population, and like adult patients, they have also suffered immeasurably from the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Immunisation is an effective strategy for reducing the number of COVID-19 cases. With the advancements in vaccination for younger age groups, parents or guardians have raised doubts and questions about adverse effects and the number of doses required. Therefore, systematic reviews focusing on this population are needed to consolidate evidence that can help in decision-making and clinical practice. This protocol aims to assess the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in paediatric patients and evaluate the correlation between the number of vaccine doses and side effects.

Methods and analysis

We will search the PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, Scopus and Cochrane databases for randomised and quasi-randomised clinical trials that list the adverse effects of the COVID-19 vaccine and assess its correlation with the number of doses, without any language restrictions. Two reviewers will select the studies according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extract data and asses for risk of bias using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. The Review Software Manager (RevMan V.5.4.1) will be used to synthesise the data. We will use the Working Group’s Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluations to grade the strength of the evidence of the results.

Ethics and dissemination

Formal ethical approval is not required as no primary data are collected. This systematic review will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed publication.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42023390077.

Necessidades humanas básicas em gestantes de alto risco obstétrico analisadas sob a Teoria de Wanda Horta

Objetivo: identificar as necessidades humanas básicas de gestantes de alto risco hospitalizadas com base na Teoria de Wanda Horta. Método: pesquisa-cuidado realizada com dezesseis gestantes de alto risco hospitalizadas em maternidade de referência no Ceará entre setembro e novembro de 2019. As informações foram coletadas através de diário de campo e formulário para caracterização das gestantes e registros das necessidades humanas básicas. Os resultados foram analisados por estatística descritiva simples e abordagem compreensiva à luz do referencial de Wanda Horta. Resultados: as gestantes apresentaram necessidades psicobiológicas, psicossociais e psicoespirituais, sendo prevalentes: ausência de atividades de lazer, insegurança emocional, conhecimento deficiente, sono e repouso prejudicado e atividades físicas restritas por indicação de repouso. Considerações finais: acredita-se que o raciocínio crítico e o julgamento clínico dos enfermeiros estiveram focados na individualidade das gestantes, identificando necessidades nos três níveis propostos pela teoria, apontando caminhos para qualificar a assistência de enfermagem às gestantes de alto risco.

Head impact differences in blind football between Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games: video-based observational study

Por: Tsutsumi · S. · Sasadai · J. · Maeda · N. · Tamura · Y. · Nagao · T. · Watanabe · T. · Arima · S. · Kaneda · K. · Yoshimi · M. · Mizuta · R. · Ishihara · H. · Shimizu · R. · Fukui · K. · Tashiro · T. · Komiya · M. · Suzuki · A. · Urabe · Y.
Objective

In Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, there were the rule and goal size changes at the blind football competition. This study aimed to compare the scoring and head impact characteristics during blind football competition between the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games using the official videos.

Design

Video-based observational study.

Participants

In total, 36 blind football (men’s football 5-a-side) game videos were obtained from the official International Paralympic Committee.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Head impact was defined as the sudden contact of any object with the head. Videos were analysed to assess the number of scores and head impacts along with their corresponding details (ie, round, playing phase, scoring situation, impact situation, occurrence area, impact object, head impact site, fall and foul).

Results

The total number of goals scored at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games was nearly double that at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Regarding head impacts, a total of 2036 cases (Rio 2016, n=1105; Tokyo 2020, n=931) were evaluated. Significant differences were observed in head impact characteristics between the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games among seven outcomes (round, scoring situation, impact situation, occurrence area, impact object, site of head impact and fall).

Conclusions

Compared with the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games showed an increase in the number of points scored and different head impact characteristics.

The effect of nurse‐led remote telephone triage on symptom management of patients with cancer: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

Background

Cancer patients experience many symptoms. Nurse-led remote telephone triage can improve their quality of life by contributing to the management of these symptoms.

Aims

This study aimed to investigate the effects of nurse-led remote telephone triage on symptom management of patients with cancer.

Methods

The searches were conducted in 10 databases and gray literature from May 2023 to July 2023 without any year limitations. A fixed-effects model was used in the meta-analysis. Cochran's Q chi-squared test and I 2 statistics were used for heterogeneity. The PRISMA checklist was used. Data obtained from the included studies were analyzed using CMA 3 software.

Results

Six relevant studies (1671 patients) were included. Nurse-led remote telephone triage was found to have a positive and moderate effect on parameters such as pain (Hedge's g = 0.21, p < .001), fatigue (Hedge's g = 0.28, p < .001), and depression (Hedge's g = 0.24, p < .001) in patients with cancer. Also, the remote telephone triage had a positive and low effect on outcomes such as anxiety (Hedge's g = 0.17, p = .001), nausea (Hedge's g = 0.17, p = .004), and vomiting (Hedge's g = 0.16, p = .007) but did not affect diarrhea results.

Linking Evidence to Action

This study showed that nurse-led remote telephone triage considerably improved the symptoms of patients with cancer. This study will increase oncology nurses' awareness that nurse-led remote telephone triage of patients with cancer can improve their symptoms. Remote symptom triage developed using evidence-based guidelines and protocols can significantly contribute to the regular follow-up of patients' symptoms, providing quality care, and establishing appropriate symptom management programs and systems with high levels of evidence.

An mHealth application for chronic vascular access: A multi‐method evaluation

Abstract

Background

Healthcare consumers require diverse resources to assist their navigation of complex healthcare interactions, however, these resources need to be fit for purpose.

Aim

In this study, we evaluated the utility, usability and feasibility of children, families and adults requiring long-term intravenous therapy using a recently developed mobile health application (App), intravenous (IV) Passport.

Design

Multi-site, parallel, multi-method, prospective cohort study.

Methods

A multi-site, multi-method study was carried out in 2020–2021, with 46 participants (20 adults, 26 children/family) reporting on their experiences surrounding the use of the IV Passport for up to 6 months.

Results

Overall, utility rates were acceptable, with 78.3% (N = 36) using the IV Passport over the follow-up period, with high rates of planned future use for those still active in the project (N = 21; 73%), especially in the child/family cohort (N = 13; 100%). Acceptability rates were high (9/10; IQR 6.5–10), with the IV Passport primarily used for documenting new devices and complications. Thematic analysis revealed three main themes (and multiple subthemes) in the qualitative data: Advocacy for healthcare needs, Complexity of healthcare and App design and functionality.

Conclusion

Several recommendations were made to improve the end-user experience including ‘how to’ instructions; and scheduling functionality for routine care.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

The IV Passport can be safely and appropriately integrated into healthcare, to support consumers.

Impact

Patient-/parent-reported feedback suggests the Intravenous Passport is a useful tool for record-keeping, and positive communication between patients/parents, and clinicians.

Reporting Method

Not applicable.

Patient Contribution

Consumers reported their experiences surrounding the use of the IV Passport for up to 6 months.

Aetiology, risk factors and treatment of typical and atypical pressure ulcers in patients with traumatic brain injury: A narrative review

Abstract

Pressure ulcers are one of the leading complications in bedridden patients that result in multiple burdens on healthcare systems and patients (11 billion dollars/year). The prevalence of pressure ulcers in traumatic brain injury patients is 1.5-fold compared with the other bedridden patients. Moreover, critical traumatic brain injury patients who are admitted to the intensive care unit experience severe pressure ulcers and further complications. The motor/sensory disabilities and low supplementation and oxygenation to the pressured side were the main mechanisms of the typical pressure ulcers. Intellectual evaluation is the first essential step to prevent the development of pressure ulcers in high-risk patients. Till now, different scales, including Injury Scale Score and Braden Scale Score, have been provided to assess the pressure ulcer. Since low stages of pressure ulcers heal rapidly, traumatic brain injury patients require a periodical assessment to prevent further developments timely. Alongside different procedures provided to prevent and treat any pressure ulcer, traumatic brain injury patients required additional specific protections. For the first line, fast and efficient rehabilitation repairs motor/sensory disabilities and decreases the chance of pressure ulcer. Our review indicated that pressure ulcer in traumatic brain injury had several complex mechanisms that demand special care. Therefore, further studies are required to address these mechanisms and prevent their progression to typical and atypical pressure ulcers.

The lived experiences of patients with severe obesity during hospital admissions in Norway: A phenomenological hermeneutic study

Abstract

Aim

To explore the lived experiences of patients with severe obesity during hospital admissions.

Design

Qualitative study design.

Methods

Semi-structured individual interviews with 14 participants with severe obesity from Norway were conducted between May and October 2021. A qualitative phenomenological hermeneutical approach inspired by Paul Riceour was used to analyse the data.

Results

The following three themes were identified through the analysis of the lived experiences of patients with severe obesity during hospital admissions: blaming my weight, being prejudged and feeling different. The participants shared various emotional experiences of encounters with healthcare professionals at hospitals. They struggled to be recognized and welcomed like everyone else and found it difficult to be judged by someone who did not know them. The various experiences resulted in a vicious circle, ultimately leading to a fear of future hospitalization.

Conclusion

Being a patient with obesity in a hospital setting can present various challenges, leading to feelings of shame and guilt. Experiences of stigma may not necessarily be related to the overall hospital context but rather to encounters with healthcare professionals who may be unfamiliar with the patient's history, which can lead to stigmatizing behaviours.

Impact

Understanding how patients with severe obesity experience their hospital admissions and the importance of familiarizing themselves with the individual patients to avoid stigmatizing behaviours is important for healthcare professionals caring for obese patients.

Reporting Method

Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.

Impact Statement

Patients with obesity often encounter stigmatization and negative attitudes from healthcare professionals, particularly in primary care settings. Patients with severe obesity experienced various challenging encounters with healthcare professionals during hospital admissions, resulting in a vicious circle, ultimately leading to a fear of future hospitalization. It is crucial for healthcare professionals involved in the care of patients with obesity to acquaint themselves with individual patients to prevent stigmatizing behaviours.

Non-pharmacological therapies for pain management in paediatric intensive care units: a protocol for a scoping review

Introduction

In critically ill children, pain management is complex owing to cognitive development and the nature of hospitalisation in paediatric intensive therapy units. Although there are many protocols and guidelines for pain control via pharmacological interventions, non-pharmacological practices should also be explored and disseminated for their potential benefit.

Methods and analysis

A systematic literature search will be performed using the following databases: Academic Search Premier, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane Library, Excerpta Medica Database, Virtual Health Library, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, Theses from Coordenacão de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Dart Europe, Open Access Theses and Dissertations and grey literature from Google Scholar. The research will consider quantitative and qualitative studies, mixed-method studies, systematic reviews, text articles, opinion articles, letters to editors and editorials in any language and from any database. The following will be eligible for inclusion: (1) newborns, infants, children and adolescents; and (2) non-pharmacological therapies used for pain in paediatric intensive care.

Ethics and dissemination

This study does not require ethical approval. The results of this research will be disseminated through social media channels and podcasts about pain in children.

Trial registration number

This protocol has been registered with the Open Science Framework (DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/DZHKT).

Scoping review of systematic reviews of nursing interventions in a neonatal intensive care unit or special care nursery

Abstract

Aim(s)

To identify, synthesise and map systematic reviews of the effectiveness of nursing interventions undertaken in a neonatal intensive care unit or special care nursery.

Design

This scoping review was conducted according to the JBI scoping review framework.

Methods

Review included systematic reviews that evaluated any nurse-initiated interventions that were undertaken in an NICU or SCN setting. Studies that reported one or more positive outcomes related to the nursing interventions were only considered for this review. Each outcome for nursing interventions was rated a ‘certainty (quality) of evidence’ according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations criteria.

Data Sources

Systematic reviews were sourced from the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence Synthesis for reviews published until February 2023.

Results

A total of 428 articles were identified; following screening, 81 reviews underwent full-text screening, and 34 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Multiple nursing interventions reporting positive outcomes were identified and were grouped into seven categories. Respiratory 7/34 (20%) and Nutrition 8/34 (23%) outcomes were the most reported categories. Developmental care was the next most reported category 5/34 (15%) followed by Thermoregulation, 5/34 (15%) Jaundice 4/34 (12%), Pain 4/34 (12%) and Infection 1/34 (3%).

Conclusions

This review has identified nursing interventions that have a direct positive impact on neonatal outcomes. However, further applied research is needed to transfer this empirical knowledge into clinical practice.

Implications for the profession and/or patient care

Implementing up-to-date evidence on effective nursing interventions has the potential to significantly improving neonatal outcomes.

Patient or public contribution

No patient or public involvement in this scoping review.

Perceptions of adult intensive care unit patients regarding nursing presence and their intensive care experiences: A descriptive‐correlational study

Abstract

Aims and Objectives

This study aims to determine the relationship between perceptions of nursing presence and intensive care experiences in adult intensive care unit patients'.

Background

Intensive care units (ICUs) are settings where patients have many negative emotions and experiences, which affect both treatment and post-discharge outcomes. The holistic presence of nurses may help patients turn their negative emotions and experiences into positive ones.

Design

A descriptive-correlational design was used and reported according to the STROBE checklist.

Methods

The sample consisted of 182 participants. Data were collected using a personal information form, the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), the Intensive Care Experience Scale (ICES), and the Presence of Nursing Scale (PONS).

Results

A strong positive correlation existed between total ICES and PONS scores (r = 0.889, p < 0.001). There was a strong positive correlation between PONS total score and ICES subscales (awareness of surroundings (r = 0.751, p < 0.001), frightening experiences (r = 0.770, p < 0.001), recall of experience (r = 0.774, p < 0.001), and satisfaction with care (r = 0.746, p < 0.001)). Males (β = −0.139, p < 0.05), and patients who were university and higher education graduate (β = 0.137, p < 0.05) had higher positive ICU experiences. It was also found length of ICU stay was correlated with ICU experiences and nursing presence.

Conclusions

The more positively the patients perceive nurses, the better ICU experiences they have. Gender and education level were found determinants of adult ICU patients' experiences. ICU length of stay predicted what kind of experience patients have and how much they feel the presence of nurses.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Nurses should make their presence felt completely and holistically by using their communication skills for patients have more positive intensive care experiences. Nurses should consider variables which affects patients' ICU experiences and nursing presence.

Creating a psychosocial intervention combining growth mindset and implementation intentions (GMII) to reduce alcohol consumption: A mixed method approach

by Sacha Parada, Bérengère Rubio, Elsa Taschini, Xavier Laqueille, Malika El Youbi, Pierre Paris, Bernard Angerville, Alain Dervaux, Jean-François Verlhiac, Eve Legrand

This work aimed at creating a psychosocial intervention based on growth mindset theory and implementation intention strategies, in order to reduce alcohol consumption among users in the general population, and the clinical population of individuals with alcohol use disorder. A mixed method approach was used, combining qualitative and quantitative research methods among both populations. Four focus groups were first conducted to extract arguments in favor of a malleable view of alcohol consumption (study 1A), situations that trigger the desire to drink alcohol, as well as strategies used by people to counteract this need (study 1B). Data were analyzed using reflective thematic analysis in line with the scientific literature on alcohol consumption. The results were used to create a questionnaire scoring the relevance of each argument, situation and strategy (study 2). The 20 best scored arguments, situations and strategies were selected to create the intervention. The created intervention consisted in a popularized scientific article describing alcohol consumption as malleable, including the selected arguments and followed by two internalization exercises. Then, a volitional help sheet included the selected situations and solutions was presented, allowing forming up to three plans. The discussion focused on the added value of the created material compared to pre-existing tools in the literature, and presents plans to test the intervention in a future study.

Epigenetic repression of antiviral genes by SARS-CoV-2 NSP1

by Dimitrios G. Anastasakis, Daniel Benhalevy, Nicolas Çuburu, Nihal Altan-Bonnet, Markus Hafner

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) evades the innate immune machinery through multiple viral proteins, including nonstructural protein 1 (NSP1). While NSP1 is known to suppress translation of host mRNAs, the mechanisms underlying its immune evasion properties remain elusive. By integrating RNA-seq, ribosome footprinting, and ChIP-seq in A549 cells we found that NSP1 predominantly represses transcription of immune-related genes by favoring Histone 3 Lysine 9 dimethylation (H3K9me2). G9a/GLP H3K9 methyltransferase inhibitor UNC0638 restored expression of antiviral genes and restricted SARS-CoV-2 replication. Our multi-omics study unravels an epigenetic mechanism underlying host immune evasion by SARS-CoV-2 NSP1. Elucidating the factors involved in this phenomenon, may have implications for understanding and treating viral infections and other immunomodulatory diseases.

Interactions that support older inpatients with cognitive impairments to engage with falls prevention in hospitals: An ethnographic study

Abstract

Aims

To explore the nature of interactions that enable older inpatients with cognitive impairments to engage with hospital staff on falls prevention.

Design

Ethnographic study.

Methods

Ethnographic observations on orthopaedic and older person wards in English hospitals (251.25 h) and semi-structured qualitative interviews with 50 staff, 28 patients and three carers. Findings were analysed using a framework approach.

Results

Interactions were often informal and personalised. Staff qualities that supported engagement in falls prevention included the ability to empathise and negotiate, taking patient perspectives into account. Although registered nurses had limited time for this, families/carers and other staff, including engagement workers, did so and passed information to nurses.

Conclusions

Some older inpatients with cognitive impairments engaged with staff on falls prevention. Engagement enabled them to express their needs and collaborate, to an extent, on falls prevention activities. To support this, we recommend wider adoption in hospitals of engagement workers and developing the relational skills that underpin engagement in training programmes for patient-facing staff.

Implications for Profession and Patient Care

Interactions that support cognitively impaired inpatients to engage in falls prevention can involve not only nurses, but also families/carers and non-nursing staff, with potential to reduce pressures on busy nurses and improve patient safety.

Reporting Method

The paper adheres to EQUATOR guidelines, Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research.

Patient or Public Contribution

Patient/public contributors were involved in study design, evaluation and data analysis. They co-authored this manuscript.

Sustained Mood Improvement with Laughing Gas Exposure (SMILE): Study protocol for a randomized placebo-controlled pilot trial of nitrous oxide for treatment-resistant depression

by Karim S. Ladha, Jiwon Lee, Gabriella F. Mattina, Janneth Pazmino-Canizares, Duminda N. Wijeysundera, Fatemeh Gholamali Nezhad, Kaylyssa Philip, Vanessa K. Tassone, Fathima Adamsahib, Venkat Bhat, on behalf of the SMILE Study Investigators

Background

Nitrous oxide has shown potentially as an efficacious intervention for treatment-resistant depression, yet there remains insufficient evidence pertaining to repeated administration of nitrous oxide over time and active placebo-controlled studies with optimal blinding. Thus, we aim to examine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a six-week follow up study examining the effects of a 4 week course of weekly administered nitrous oxide as compared to the active placebo, midazolam.

Methods

In this randomized, active placebo-controlled, pilot trial, 40 participants with treatment-resistant depression will receive either inhaled nitrous oxide (1 hour at 50% concentration) plus intravenous saline (100mL) or inhaled oxygen (1 hour at 50% concentration) plus intravenous midazolam (0.02 mg/kg in 100mL, up to 2mg) once per week, for 4 consecutive weeks. Participants will be followed up for 6 weeks starting from the first treatment visit. Primary feasibility outcomes include recruitment rate, withdrawal rate, adherence, missing data, and adverse events. The primary exploratory clinical outcome is change in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score at day 42 of the study. Other exploratory clinical outcomes include remission (defined as MADRS score Discussion

This pilot study will provide valuable information regarding the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of repeated nitrous oxide administration over time for treatment-resistant depression. If feasible, this study will inform the design of a future definitive trial of nitrous oxide as an efficacious and fast-acting treatment for treatment-resistant depression.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04957368. Registered on July 12, 2021.

Diagnostics of preeclampsia based on Congo red binding to urinary components: Rationales and limitations

by Sergei A. Fedotov, Maria S. Khrabrova, Elena S. Vashukova, Andrey S. Glotov, Anastasia O. Anpilova, Vladimir A. Dobronravov, Maria E. Velizhanina, Aleksandr A. Rubel

Preeclampsia is a disorder that can occur during pregnancy and is one of the leading causes of death among pregnant women. This disorder occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy and is characterized by arterial hypertension, proteinuria, fetoplacental, and multiple organ dysfunctions. Despite the long history of studying preeclampsia, its etiology and pathogenesis remain poorly understood, and therapy is symptomatic. One of the factors of the disorder is believed to be misfolded proteins that are prone to form amyloid aggregates. The CRD tests, utilizing the binding of the amyloid-specific dye Congo red to urine components, demonstrate high efficiency in diagnosing preeclampsia. However, these tests have also been found to be positive in other disorders with proteinuria, presumably associated with concomitant amyloidosis. To assess the limitations of the CRD tests, we examined urine congophilia and protein components mediating Congo red positivity in patients with proteinuria, including preeclampsia, amyloid and non-amyloid nephropathies. We stained the urine samples and calculated congophilia levels. We also assessed the contribution of large protein aggregates to congophilia values using ultracentrifugation and determined the molecular weights of congophilic urinary proteins using centrifugal concentrators. All proteinuric groups demonstrate positive results in the CRD tests and congophilia levels were more than two times higher compared with the control non-proteinuric groups (p rs = 0.76), non-amyloid nephropathies (rs = 0.90), and preeclampsia (rs = 0.90). Removal of large aggregates from urine did not affect the congophilia levels. Separation of urine protein fractions revealed congophilic components in the range of 30–100 kDa, including monomeric serum albumin. Our results indicate limitations of CRD tests in preeclampsia diagnostics in women with renal disorders and underscore the need for further research on the mechanisms of Congo red binding with urine components.

Prediction of amputation risk of patients with diabetic foot using classification algorithms: A clinical study from a tertiary center

Abstract

Diabetic foot ulcers can have vital consequences, such as amputation for patients. The primary purpose of this study is to predict the amputation risk of diabetic foot patients using machine-learning classification algorithms. In this research, 407 patients treated with the diagnosis of diabetic foot between January 2009–September 2019 in Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine in the Department of Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine were retrospectively evaluated. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to identify the key features associated with the amputation risk in diabetic foot patients within the dataset. Thus, various prediction/classification models were created to predict the “overall” risk of diabetic foot patients. Predictive machine-learning models were created using various algorithms. Additionally to optimize the hyperparameters of the Random Forest Algorithm (RF), experimental use of Bayesian Optimization (BO) has been employed. The sub-dimension data set comprising categorical and numerical values was subjected to a feature selection procedure. Among all the algorithms tested under the defined experimental conditions, the BO-optimized “RF” based on the hybrid approach (PCA-RF-BO) and “Logistic Regression” algorithms demonstrated superior performance with 85% and 90% test accuracies, respectively. In conclusion, our findings would serve as an essential benchmark, offering valuable guidance in reducing such hazards.

Intraorbital pressure–volume characteristics in a piglet model: In vivo pilot study

by Yasin Hamarat, Laimonas Bartusis, Vilma Putnynaite, Rolandas Zakelis, Mantas Deimantavicius, Vilma Zigmantaite, Ramunė Grigaleviciute, Audrius Kucinskas, Evaldas Kalvaitis, Arminas Ragauskas

Intracranial pressure measurement is frequently used for diagnosis in neurocritical care but cannot always accurately predict neurological deterioration. Intracranial compliance plays a significant role in maintaining cerebral blood flow, cerebral perfusion pressure, and intracranial pressure. This study’s objective was to investigate the feasibility of transferring external pressure into the eye orbit in a large-animal model while maintaining a clinically acceptable pressure gradient between intraorbital and external pressures. The experimental system comprised a specifically designed pressure applicator that can be placed and tightly fastened onto the eye. A pressure chamber made from thin, elastic, non-allergenic film was attached to the lower part of the applicator and placed in contact with the eyelid and surrounding tissues of piglets’ eyeballs. External pressure was increased from 0 to 20 mmHg with steps of 1 mmHg, from 20 to 30 mmHg with steps of 2 mmHg, and from 30 to 50 mmHg with steps of 5 mmHg. An invasive pressure sensor was used to measure intraorbital pressure directly. An equation was derived from measured intraorbital and external pressures (intraorbital pressure = 0.82 × external pressure + 3.12) and demonstrated that external pressure can be linearly transferred to orbit tissues with a bias (systematic error) of 3.12 mmHg. This is close to the initial intraorbital pressure within the range of pressures tested. We determined the relationship between intraorbital compliance and externally applied pressure. Our findings indicate that intraorbital compliance can be controlled across a wide range of 1.55 to 0.15 ml/mmHg. We observed that external pressure transfer into the orbit can be achieved while maintaining a clinically acceptable pressure gradient between intraorbital and external pressures.

The effect of triclosan‐coated sutures on the incidence of surgical site infection in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, laparoscopic appendicectomy or laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A multi‐centre, double‐blind, randomized, intra‐individual study

Abstract

Surgical site infection (SSI) is a common cause of post-operative morbidity. According to the latest report announced by CDC, the SSI accounts for 20% of healthcare-associated infection with a high risk of mortality up to twofold to 11-fold increase with high economic burden for the prolonged hospital stay. Port site infection (PSI) is a subgroup of SSI occurring at the ports of laparoscopy. We tried to determine the efficacy of polyglactin 910 suture coated with triclosan in lowering the rate of PSI in some of the clean-contaminated wound surgeries. This study included 480 individuals eligible for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, appendicectomy or sleeve operations. Polyglactin 910 sutures coated with triclosan were used in one port site incision while polyglactin 910 sutures were used in the other port sites incisions. In patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and appendicectomy, the incidence of PSI was significantly lower in the triclosan-coated sutures. In sleeve gastrectomy patients, although a lower number of triclosan-coated sutures developed PSI, there was no statistically significant difference between triclosan and non-triclosan-coated sutures. This study showed that using sutures coated with antiseptics like triclosan has clinical benefits to prevent SSIs in most of the laparoscopic surgeries.

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