Change in Functional Status from Preoperative to One Year Postoperative in Patients Who Have Undergone Elective Open-Heart Surgery: A Repeated-Measures Study

Purpose: Although patient-related factors affect surgical outcomes, preoperative functional status is not measured by any cardiac risk score. Functional status can, however, be objectively measured using validated outcome tools such as the Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument (LLFDI). The purpose of this study was to determine 1) if there was a change over time in functional status, as measured by the LLFDI, in patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery, and if so, 2) what specific aspect(s) of functional status changed. Methods: A prospective longitudinal study of one year was conducted on elective cardiac surgery patients (n = 43) using the self-reported LLFDI, which measures Disability Frequency (frequency of participation in social tasks), Disability Limitation (ability to participate in social tasks) and Function Total (ease in performing routine activities). Higher scores indicate increased function and decreased disability. LLFDI scores were compared at three times (preoperative, six-week and one-year postoperative) using repeated measures ANOVA. Post hoc pairwise comparison was conducted for specific interactions. Results: Both Function Total and Disability Frequency significantly changed over time (p = 0.047 and p = 0.013, respectively). Specifically, patients’ function level was significantly higher one-year postoperative compared to preoperative (M difference = +3.48, SE = 1.48, p = 0.026). Likewise, Disability Frequency scores were significantly higher (i.e. more active) at one-year postoperative versus preoperative (M difference= +5.98, SE = 2.19, p = 0.033). Disability Limitation scores were not significantly different between any time points (p > 0.05). Conclusion: By one-year postoperative, patients demonstrated increased ease in their routine physical activities and were more participatory in social life tasks. Individuals who underwent elective cardiac surgery took more than six weeks to detect notable improvement in functional status, which was expected with a sternotomy approach. This study provides support for the use of the LLFDI as an effective tool to capture functional status in the cardiac population. These findings may assist cardiac patients in recovery timeline expectations.

Reasons for Elective Surgery Cancellations in a Senegalese Pediatric Surgery Department

Introduction: Cancellation of elective surgery is common in developing countries. This decision is difficult to make as it generates economic and organizational consequences for the healthcare facility and an additional source of stress for patients and their caregivers. This study aimed to analyze the various aspects of this medical problem. Patients and Methods: We conducted a prospective and descriptive study over six months (from January 1st, 2017, to June 30th, 2017) at the pediatric surgery department of Aristide Le Dantec University Teaching Hospital in Senegal. Results: Ninety-one cases were collected. The cancellation rate was 20.8%. Infants were affected in 36.3% of cases. Among anesthesiologists, 83.5% were residents, and 16.5% were specialists. Cancellation in nephroblastoma children with an indication for extended nephrectomy represented 15.4% of cases. Concerning reasons for cancellation, comorbidities, dominated by respiratory infections, accounted for 28.5% of cases, patient absences for 24.2%, and issues related to the anesthesiologist for 17.6%. Cancellations were avoidable in 33% of cases. Patients were responsible for cancellation in 37.4% of cases, the healthcare system in 33%, and medical reasons in 29.7%. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that one-third of cancellations could have been avoided with improvements in the healthcare system. Actions should be taken to reduce the cancellation rate in our context.

Solutions to Teaching Reform Challenges of Elective Courses under the Background of New Liberal Arts:Taking International Trade in Services Course as an Example

Variations in the allocation of university resources,teachers’course selection preferences and teaching commitment levels,as well as students’course preferences and assessment requirements,create subjective differences.These differences,compounded by the demands of the new liberal arts reform,place significant challenges and pressure on elective course instructors.To meet these demands,elective course teachers should enhance their teaching methods and explore new instructional models.The International Trade in Services course,for instance,has implemented six areas of curriculum reform,enriching the practice of elective course improvement.

Operational Problems and Countermeasures of Public Elective Courses in Higher Vocational Colleges and Universities Based on the Perspective of Academic Affairs Management:Taking Guangdong C Vocational College as an Example

With the vigorous development of higher vocational education,public elective courses,as one of the core components of the higher vocational curriculum system,occupy a pivotal position.Based on the perspective of academic affairs management and taking Guangdong C Vocational College as an example,this paper meticulously analyzes the operational problems in the declaration,setting,teaching,and management of public elective courses through questionnaire surveys and other methods.It also puts forward a series of targeted solutions,with a view to continuously improving the teaching quality and management level of public elective courses.

Impact of early or delayed elective resection in complicated diverticulitis

AIM： To investigate the outcomes of early and delayed elective resection after initial antibiotic treatment in patients with complicated diverticulitis. METHODS： The study, a non-randomized comparison of the two approaches, included 421 consecutive patients who underwent surgical resection for complicated sigmoid diverticulitis （Hinchey classification I - II ） at the Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf between 2004 and 2009. The operating procedure, duration of hospital and intensive care unit stay, outcome, complications and socioeconomic costs were analyzed, with comparison made between the early and delayed elective resection strategies. RESULTS： The severity of the diverticulitis and American Society of Anesthesiologists score were comparable for the two groups. Patients who underwent delayed elective resection had a shorter hospital stay and operating time, and the rate of successfully completed laparoscopic resections was higher （80% vs 75%）. Eight patients who were scheduled for delayed elective resection required urgent surgery because of complications of the diverticulitis, which resulted in a high rate of morbidity. Analysis of the socioeconomic effects showed that hospitalization costs were significantly higher for delayed elective resection compared with early elec- tive resection （9296 ± 694 vs 8423 ± 968 ; P = 0.001）. Delayed elective resection showed a trend toward lower complications, and the operation appeared simpler to perform than early elective resection. Nevertheless, delayed elective resection carries a risk of complications occurring during the period of 6-8 wk that could necessitate an urgent resection with its consequent high morbidity, which counterbalanced many of the advantages.

Daily Activities and Sleep Durations of Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease Who Were Discharged to Their Homes after Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between daily activities and sleep durations for patients following elective percutaneous coronary intervention (ePCI) and diagnosed with ischemic heart disease (IHD) after discharge to their homes. The actigraph data were used to collect data from twenty five patients. The duration of night-time sleep (minutes from the start to end of night-time) and actual night-time sleep duration (total sleep duration excluding wake-up durations of night-time) on the seventh day after discharge were divided into three groups;less than 360, 360 to 480, and more than 480 minutes (short, optimal and long respectively). Subsequently, among the three groups of patients, the data were analyzed by Kruskal Wallis H-test with multiple comparison procedures using the Scheffé-test in order to compare differences in daytime activity items at seven days after discharge from the hospital. Total daytime nap duration (p p p p < 0.05). However, the duration of night-time sleep and daytime activity did not significantly differ. If actual night-time sleep duration is improved from 360 to 480 minutes, daytime nap could potentially be decreased. Determining objective sleep conditions for patients and treating sleep disorders may improve overall patient health, facilitating appropriate sleep and wake rhythms.

Factors influencing the surveillance of re-emerging intracranial infections in elective neurosurgical patients:A single-center retrospective study

BACKGROUND At present,many studies have reported the risk factors for postoperative intracranial reinfection,including age,sex,time to surgery,duration of postoperative catheterization,emergency procedures,type of disease and cerebrospinal fluid leakage,but the academic community has not reached a unified conclusion.AIM To find factors influencing the surveillance of re-emerging intracranial infections in elective neurosurgical patients.METHODS Ninety-four patients who underwent elective craniotomy from January 1,2015 to December 31,2022 in the Department of Neurosurgery,First Hospital of Jilin University,were included in this study.Of those,45 patients were enrolled in the infection group,and 49 were enrolled in the control group.The clinical data of the patients were collected and divided into three categories,including preoperative baseline conditions,intraoperative characteristics and postoperative infection prevention.The data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 software.RESULTS There were 23 males and 22 females in the infection group with a mean age of 52.8±15.1 years and 17 males and 32 females in the control group with a mean age of 48.9±15.2 years.The univariate analysis showed that the infection group had higher systolic blood pressures and postoperative temperatures,fewer patients who underwent a supratentorial craniotomy,more patients with a history of hypertension and higher initial postoperative white blood cell counts than the control group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).The multifactorial logistic regression analysis showed that a history of hypertension and a high postoperative body temperature were independent risk factors for postoperative infection in neurosurgical patients.CONCLUSION The results obtained in this study indicated that a history of hypertension and a high postoperative body temperature were independent risk factors for postoperative neurological symptoms.

Cancellation Causes of Elective Surgical Procedures in a Major Pediatric Surgery Department

Introduction: Cancellation of surgical operation is a surgical operation registered in the official schedule the day before or added to the list after and not carried out on the operating day. The purpose of this work was to determine the causes of cancellation of elective surgical operations in a major pediatric surgery department in Senegal. Patients and methods: It was a prospective and descriptive study of 278 patients scheduled during a period of 13 weeks. The study took place between April 3rd, 2017, and January 31st, 2018. Mean age was 2.9 years with extremes of 3 days and 15 years. The age group of 29 days to 30 months was the most represented (62.2%). Sex ratio was 1.41. Causes of cancellation were categorized into administrative and organizational causes, patient-related causes and staff-related causes. Results: Cancellation rate was 29.4%. Patient-related causes were most common (51.2%). Upper Respiratory tract infection (URTI) was commonest reason within this category (57.5%). Organizational causes (28.1%) came second and were mainly represented by the unavailability of the operating room (60.8%) related to breakdowns of anesthesia equipment. Finally, staff-related causes (20.7%) were due for most to the unavailability of the anesthesiologist (12 cases/17). Conclusion: Majority of causes that led to cancellation of elective surgical operations in our Pediatric surgery department are related to intercurrent illnesses affecting the patient, in particular URTI.

Rethinking elective colectomy for diverticulitis: A strategic approach to population health

Diverticulitis is one of the leading indications for elective colon resection. Surgeons are trained to offer elective operations after a few episodes of diverticulitis in order to prevent future recurrences and potential emergency. However, most emergency surgery happens during the initial presentation. After recovery from an episode, much of the subsequent management of diverticulitis occurs in the outpatient setting, rendering inpatient &#x0201c;episode counting&#x0201d; a poor measure of the severity or burden of disease. Evidence also suggests that the risk of recurrence of diverticulitis is small and similar with or without an operation. Accordingly, contemporary evaluations of the epidemiologic patterns of treatments for diverticulitis have failed to demonstrate that the substantial rise in elective surgery over the last few decades has been successful at preventing emergency surgery at a population level. Multiple professional societies are calling to &#x0201c;individualize&#x0201d; decisions for elective colectomy and there is an international focus on &#x0201c;appropriate&#x0201d; indications for surgery. The rethinking of elective colectomy should come from a patient-centered approach that considers the risks of recurrence, quality of life, patient wishes and experiences about surgical and medical treatment options as well as operative morbidity and risks.

The impact of the cor on avirus disease 2019 Checkfol pandemic on elective urological procedures in Australia

Objective:To investigate the changes in elective private urological procedures in Australia during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.Methods:Data were extracted from publicly available datasets from Medicare Ben efits Schedule using item nu mbers assig ned to each comm only performed urological interve ntion.These procedures were divided into three groups:Oncological therapeutic,diagnostic,and non-oncological therapeutic procedures.A smoothing model,based on the historic procedure numbers from 2017 to 2019,was used to forecast monthly number of procedures performed in each category between January 2020 and June 2020.These forecasted models were compared with reported figures.Results:A total of 108169 procedures were performed between January 2020 and June 2020 based on the Medicare Ben efits Schedule item nu mbers listed.There was a sign ifica nt reducti on(perce nt-age cha nge)in total procedures performed in April 2020(22.6%,95%con fide nee in terval[CI]:-28.7%to-15.4%)and May 2020(-33.2%,95%CI:-37.5%to 28.3%).There was a significant reduction in oncological therapeutic,non-oncological therapeutic,and diagnostic procedures performed in April 2020 and May 2020(p<0.05).These nu mbers did not in elude procedures performed in public sector.Conclusion:There was a significant reduction in total urological procedures(including diagnostic,oncological,and non-on cological)performed in mon ths of April 2020 and May 2020 during time of federal restrictions.Both public and private healthcare sectors need to be supported in the up-comi ng mon ths to preve nt further delays in treatme nt and poorer clinical outcomes.

Mandated health insurance increases rates of elective knee surgery

BACKGROUND The recent federal ruling to against Affordable Care Act(ACA), specifically the mandate requiring people to buy insurance, has once again brought the healthcare reform debate to the spotlight. The ACA increased the number of insured Americans through the development of subsidized healthcare plans and health insurance exchanges. Insurance-based differences in the rate of upper extremity elective orthopaedic surgery have been described before and after healthcare reform in Massachusetts, where a similar mandate was put into place years before the ACA was passed. However, no comprehensive study has evaluated insurance-based differences of knee elective surgery before and after reform.AIM To investigate how an individual mandate to purchase health insurance affects rates of knee surgery.METHODS A retrospective review was performed within an orthopaedic surgery department at a tertiary-care, academic medical center in Massachusetts. The rate of elective knee surgery performed before and after the healthcare reform(2005-2006 and 2007-2010, respectively) was calculated. The patients were categorized by insurance type(Commonwealth Care, Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance,Workers' Compensation, TriCare, and Uninsured). Using χ2 testing, differences in rates of surgery between the pre-reform and post-reform period and among insurance subgroups were calculated.RESULTS Rate of surgery increased in the post-reform period(pre-reform 8.07%(95%CI:7.03%-9.11%), post-reform 9.38%(95%CI: 8.74%-10.03%)(P = 0.04) and was statistically significant. When the insurance groups and insurance types were compared, the rates of surgery are not significantly different before or after reform.CONCLUSION The increase in the rate of elective knee surgery in the post-reform period suggests that health care reform in Massachusetts has been successful in decreasing the uninsured population and may increase health care expenditures.This is a hypothesis generating study that suggests further avenues of study on how mandated coverage may change healthcare utilization and cost.

Is it time for elective left main percutaneous coronary intervention to become 'main stream'?

Left main (LM) stenting is considered by many to be one of the last frontiers of interventional cardiology. Beginning with the VA cooperative study published in 1976 demonstrating a mortality benefit for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), i the standard of care for treatment of left main coronary artery disease has been surgical.The most recent 2005 update of the ACC/AHA/SCAI Practice Guidelines on PCI 2 again notes that "CABG using IMA grafting is the 'gold standard' for treatment of unprotected left main disease and has proven benefit on long-term outcomes."……

Is Preoperative Functional Status Associated with Postoperative Mortality and Morbidity in Elective Open Heart Patients?

Background: Cardiac surgery, even when planned, has the potential for adverse outcomes, such that several factors are taken into consideration to help surgeons and their patients discuss the potential risks weighed against the expected recovery. Preoperative functional status and its influence on cardiac surgery, if any, have not been adequately evaluated to date. This study aimed to examine the relationship between preoperative functional status and postoperative mortality and morbidity in elective open heart patients. Methods: Preoperative baseline data (n = 43 subjects) were obtained to calculate Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) mortality and morbidity risk scores and preoperative functional status was measured using the Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument (LLFDI). Follow-up data were abstracted at one year postoperative to calculate actual mortality and morbidity events. Ordinary least squares and negative binomial regression analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between the LLFDI preoperative score to the STS mortality and morbidity risk scores. Results: Mortality risk was significant, F (1, 39) = 4.75, p = 0.035, with an adjusted R2 = 0.086, and Function Total (measured by LLFDI) yielded a significant negative association with mortality risk, β = &minus;0.329. Morbidity was found to be significant, F (1, 40) = 4.89, p = 0.033, with an adjusted R2 = 0.087 and Function Total yielded a significant negative association with morbidity risk, β = &minus;0.328, as well. Estimation of the counts for postoperative complications as estimated by Function Total failed to reach significance (Wald χ2 = 0.34, p = 0.56), which provided a pseudo R2 = 0.009. Probabilities for frequencies of adverse events (major complications), therefore, could not be reliably calculated. Conclusion: Preoperative diminished functional status, as measured by the LLFDI, is associated with an increased risk of mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. The risks and benefits of cardiac surgery should be weighed carefully and include a patient's preoperative functional status, especially in the case of an elective procedure.

Elective regional lymphadenectomy for advanced auricular squamous cell carcinoma

AIM: To investigate the rate of occult lymph node disease in elective parotidectomy and neck dissection specimens in patients with advanced auricular cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma(cS CC). METHODS: At a single institution, from 2000 to 2010, 17 patients with advanced auricular cS CC were considered high risk for occult regional parotid and/or neck nodal metastases and, thus, underwent an auriculectomy and elective regional lymphadenectomy(parotidectomy and/or neck dissection). Indications for elective regional lymphadenectomy were large tumor size, locally invasive tumors, post-surgical and post-radiation recurrence, and being an immunosuppressed patient. We determined the presence of microscopic disease in the regional(parotid and neck dissection) pathology specimens.RESULTS: There were 17 advanced auricular c SCC patients analyzed for this study. Fifteen(88%) patients were men. The average age was 69(range: 33 to 86). Ten(59%) patients presented with post-surgical recurrence. Five(29%) patients presented with postradiation recurrence. Four(24%) patients presentedwith both post-surgical and post-radiation recurrence. Four(24%) patients were immunosuppressed(2(12%) were liver transplant patients, 2(12%) were chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients, and 1(6%) was both). The subsite distribution of c SCC included helix(3, 18%), antihelix(2, 12%), conchal bowl(7, 41%), tragus(2, 12%), and postauricular sulcus(3, 18%). Four(24%) patients presented with multifocal auricular cS CC. No patients had bilateral disease. All patients were confirmed to have c SCC on final pathology. The tumors were well(5, 29%), moderately(10, 59%), and poorly(2, 12%) differentiated SCC. The average size of the cS CC tumor was 2.9 cm(range: 1.7 to 7 cm). Twelve(70%) tumors were greater than 2 cm. Six(35%) patients underwent partial auriculectomy. Eleven(65%) patients underwent total auriculectomy. Eight(47%) patients underwent elective parotidectomy and elective neck dissections; 3(18%) underwent only elective parotidectomy; 3(18%) underwent only an elective neck dissection; 2(12%) underwent an elective parotidectomy and therapeutic neck dissection; and 1(6%) underwent a therapeutic parotidectomy and an elective neck dissection. None of the elective parotidectomy or neck dissection specimens were found to contain any malignant disease. All therapeutic parotidectomy and neck dissection specimens contained metastatic SCC. Fourteen(82%) underwent parotidectomy. Of these, 10(71%) underwent superficial parotidectomy whereas 4(29%) underwent total parotidectomy. Fourteen(82%) underwent neck dissections [levels Ⅱ/Ⅴa(1, 7%), levels Ⅱ/Ⅲ/Ⅴa(2, 14%), levels Ⅰ/Ⅱ/Ⅲ/Ⅴa(2, 14%), and complete levels Ⅰ-Ⅴ(9, 64%)]. Three(18%) underwent concurrent temporal bone resections for tumor extension from the auricle. The average follow-up for our patients was 44 mo(range: 4 to 123 mo). At the time of the review, 6(35%) patients were alive and 11(65%) had passed away. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that, in patients with advanced auricular cutaneous SCC, elective regional lymphadenectomy is not necessary. However,furtherprospective studies are necessary to assess the necessity.

The Volume Effect and Safety of 6% Hydroxyethyl Starch 130/0.4 in Patients Undergoing Major Elective Surgery: An Uncontrolled, Open-Labeled, Multi-Center Study

Purpose: The primary aim of this study was to investigate volume effect and safety of up to 50 mL/kg BW 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 130/0.4 in adult and pediatric patients undergoing major elective surgery. The need to infuse human albumin may be reduced or avoided in Japan if these large doses 6% HES 130/0.4 can be infused. Methods: The study was an uncontrolled, open-labeled, multi-center trial. Fifteen adult and 5 pediatric patients undergoing major elective surgery received 6% HES 130/0.4 (Voluven&#174) with a maximum dose of 50 mL/kg from the start of surgery until 2 hours after the end of surgery according to a treatment algorithm. The primary efficacy endpoint was the volume effect of 6% HES 130/0.4 determined by the volume of saved albumin during the investigational period and the time course of hemodynamic stability in adult and pediatric patients. Safety parameters were fluid balance, hemodynamic and laboratory parameters ECG, local and systemic tolerance and adverse events. Results: Adult patients received a mean of 32.0 mL/kg of 6% HES 130/0.4. For 12 out of 15 adult patients an average amount of 1033.8 mL (18.6 mL/kg) albumin could be saved. The other 3 adult patients did not receive more than 1000 mL of HES 130/0.4. All pediatric patients received approximately 50 mL/kg of HES 130/0.4;for these patients an average amount of 39.9 mL/kg body weight albumin could be saved. The majority of adult patients, and all pediatric patients were hemodynamically stable at all 3 time points. The observed changes of the assessed laboratory parameters including hematological and coagulation parameters or in any other safety parameter determined did not reveal any safety concern related to the administration of 6% HES 130/0.4 up to doses of 50 mL/kg body weight. Conclusion: The study results indicate that 6% HES 130/0.4 has a reliable volume effect, could contribute to significant human albumin savings and was safe and well tolerated up to a maximum dose of 50 mL/kg body weight in adult and pediatric patients undergoing major elective surgery.

Knowledge and Attitude of Pregnant Women toward Elective Cesarean Section in Saudi Arabia

Background: The rate of deliveries by cesarean section (CS) is increasing worldwide. An elective cesarean section (ECS) is a cesarean section carried with or without a medical reason, in some cases choice by pregnant women. The number of women demanding for delivery by elective cesarean section is increasing in Saudi Arabia. Although CS is the commonest major surgery performed in Obstetrics throughout the world;there are still concerns about the knowledge and attitude of Saudi Pregnant women towards it. Methods: The design of this study was a quantitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional design. The study sample consisted of 206 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic during the third trimester, selected by convenience sampling method from Maternity and Children Hospital in Jeddah City in Saudi Arabia. Structured interview questionnaire was used in this study. Different statistical procedures were used for data analysis including percentages, mean, and mean percentages. Content validity and reliability were done. Results: The majorities (78.2%) of the pregnant women have adequate level of knowledge about ECS, 14.6% of them have moderate knowledge, and only 7.3% have inadequate knowledge. Also, 137 (66.5%) of pregnant women have negative attitude toward ECS, while 58 (28.2%) have positive attitude. Conclusion and recommendations: The study concluded that there was a good level of knowledge among pregnant women about ECS in most of the instrument questions in general;except in some areas such as the bad consequences of CS. On the other hand, the majority of the pregnant women had negative attitude toward ECS. Health care provider such as doctors, nurses and midwives should provide adequate knowledge to the pregnant women about consequence of cesarean section on the mother and child. Various interventions are recommended to decline unnecessary cesarean section. These interventions need to contain changes in attitude and correcting misperceptions among pregnant women to cesarean section and normal delivery during the prenatal period.

The Effect of the COVID 19 Pandemic on Elective Surgical Services in Jos, North Central, Nigeria

Background. The COVID 19 pandemic affected healthcare delivery systems worldwide. There was a redistribution of health care resources in order to deal with the effects of the pandemic, with a corresponding consequence on other clinical services rendered. The extent of this effect on other non COVID 19 related services has been reported in other centres worldwide. In our own setting, health care resources are limited with suboptimal access even in normal situations. Objective. We sought to evaluate the effects of the COVID 19 pandemic on elective surgical services in our hospital. Methods. This was a cross sectional comparative study carried out at the Jos University Teaching hospital, (North central, Nigeria) of the elective surgical services rendered during the first wave of the COVID 19 pandemic lockdown covering the period April to June 2020 with a corresponding period of the preceding year 2019. Data was obtained from the hospital records department, theatres and service areas for clinic attendance, elective surgeries and ward occupancy. The paired sample t-test was used to compare the assessed variables across the three months of both years with a level of significance of P < 0.05. Results. There was mean clinic attendance of 2859.33 ± 223.36 covering the three months in 2019 as against a mean attendance of 648.67 ± 578.24 covering a similar period in 2020, P = 0.037. The elective surgical procedures carried out across the surgical specialties over the period in 2019 gave a mean of 352.33 ± 44.60 as opposed to 64.001 ± 7.32 over the corresponding period in 2020, P = 0.018. Ward occupancy over April to June 2019 was a mean 297.33 ± 18.58 across the various surgical wards and 158.33 ± 25.70 in the same period in 2020, P = 0.007. Conclusion. There was a significant reduction in the elective surgical services rendered in the hospital during the first wave of the COVID 19 pandemic compared to a corresponding period in the preceding year. This decline in elective surgical services would have negatively affected the access to health care. Thus measures to clear the backlog of elective surgical procedures would be required.

Impact of Prophylactic Betamethasone Indication on the Neonatal Outcome in 38-Week Pregnancies Prior to Elective Cesarean Section

Objective: To assess whether the use of prenatal betamethasone in pregnancies with elective Caesarean section (C-section) at 38 weeks has a similar risk of adverse neonatal respiratory outcomes than elective C-section at 39 weeks. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of pregnant patients with singleton pregnancies and elective C-section at term in a one-year period. Cases were C-section at 38 weeks of gestation with a complete course of betamethasone started 48-hours before. As a control group, pregnancies with a C-section at 39 weeks without betamethasone were included. Results: During the study period, 186 patients were included. Of these, 91 were delivered at 38 weeks and 95 at 39 weeks. There were no significant differences in maternal age and parity. Moreover, there were no significant differences in respiratory complications (respiratory distress syndrome [RDS] = 0% vs 1.1%;p = 1.0, transitory tachypnea [TT] = 0% vs 0%) and admission to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) (8.8% vs 6.3%;p = 0.7) between deliveries at 38 weeks and 39 weeks, respectively. Conclusion: Prophylactic use of betamethasone in early term pregnancies who undergo an elective C-section at 38 weeks is associated with similar adverse neonatal respiratory outcomes than patients with C-section at 39 weeks without corticosteroids.

Effect of Intravenous Tranexamic Acid in Reducing Blood Loss during and after Elective Caesarean Section in a Third Level Health Institution: A Randomized Controlled Study

Background: Blood loss during caesarean section (C/S) may lead to postpartum haemorrhage, and is one of the direct causes of maternal mortality and morbidity globally. Tranexamic acid is recommended in the treatment of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) if oxytocin and other utertonics are ineffective in controlling PPH. In this centre it is not used prophylactically to reduce blood during caesarean section. Aim: To assess the effect of prophylactic intravenous tranexamic acid on blood loss during and after elective C/S at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). Methods: This was a prospective, single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled interventional study conducted at the Obstetric theatre of UPTH from July 2020 to March 2021. Eligible women were randomized into two groups;seventy-two women received intravenous tranexamic acid while seventy-one women received a placebo. Socio-demographic data and the result of the study were collected through a proforma. Data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 22.0. The results were expressed in tables and charts as frequencies, percentages and mean. Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact, and T-test were used to determine the relationship between variables. P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The findings showed that tranexamic acid significantly reduced mean blood loss during and after C/S (p-value post-surgery was significantly lower in the tranexamic acid group (624.88 ± 200.76 ml) in comparison to the placebo group (864.24 ± 229.09 ml), p-value = 0.001. The mean post-C/S packed cell volume (PCV) was significantly higher among the tranexamic acid group (30.68% ± 2.80%) in comparison to the placebo group (28.07% ± 3.27%), t = 5.131, p-value = 0.0001. The maternal side effects were nausea and vomiting, 9 (12.5%) and 1 (1.4%) participants respectively. Conclusion: Tranexamic acid significantly reduced blood loss during and after elective C/S. Maternal side effects were less with tranexamic acid use.

Informed Consent Prior to Elective Gynaecological Surgery in Two Reference Hospitals in Yaoundé, Cameroon: A Mixed Methods Study

Introduction: Informed consent is a process that enshrines respect for patients’ autonomy, their dignity, and their rights to determine what happens to their own bodies. We set out to describe the surgical informed consent process and evaluate its quality in patients undergoing elective gynaecological surgeries in two University Teaching Hospitals in Yaounde, Cameroon. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, prospective study over 9 month period, from October 1st, 2018, to June 30th, 2019 at the Yaounde Gynaeco-Obstetric and Paediatric Hospital (YGOPH) and the Yaounde Central Hospital (YCH). By administering a modified Brezis questionnaire 48 hours after surgery, we obtained data which enabled us to evaluate and score the informed consent process and obtained written reports of patients’ appreciation of key aspects of the informed consent process prior to surgery. We then called each participant 6 months after their surgery date to obtain information on the occurrence or not of post-operative complications. Results: We recruited 72 patients aged 24 to 68 years old (61 at YGOPH, 11 at YCH). The operating gynaecologist sought patient consent in 65.3% (49/72) of cases, while 61.1% (44/72) of the subjects would have loved to have more information on surgical risks;69.4% (50/72) were satisfied with the consent process;and 56.9% (41/72) could recall and repeat the information they received prior to surgery. While 37.5% (27/72) had poor quality (non-valid consent), 40.3% had good quality consent (valid). Consent administered by the gynaecologist (OR = 0.172;95% CI = 0.060 - 0.049) was a strong determinant of valid consent. Also, patients with non-valid consent significantly reported more complications (OR = 4.469;95% CI = 1.412 - 14.147) than those with valid consent. Conclusion: Informed consent prior to elective gynaecological surgeries in our study was poor. The timing of the consent process, as well as the person involved in the process affect the validity of the consent.