Measurement of combined flap thickness for reconstruction of decubitus ulcer using computed tomography

BACKGROUND Various reconstruction options have been introduced to treat decubitus ulcers.A combined flap that takes advantage of the fasciocutaneous and muscle flaps has been proven to be effective in reconstructing decubitus ulcers in previous studies.However,no studies have measured combined flap thickness.This is the first study to demonstrate the superiority of the combined flap by measuring its thickness using enhanced abdominopelvic computed tomography(APCT).AIM To evaluate combined flap modality as a useful reconstruction option for decubitus ulcers using measurements obtained through APCT.METHODS Fifteen patients with paraplegia who underwent combined flap surgery for reconstruction of decubitus ulcers between March 2020 and December 2021 were included.The defects in the skin and muscle components were reconstructed separately.The inner gluteus muscle flap was split and manipulated to obliterate dead space.The outer fasciocutaneous flap was transposed to cover the muscle flap and opening of the decubitus ulcer.Subsequently,we performed enhanced APCT at 3 wk and 6 mo postoperatively to measure the flap thickness.RESULTS The mean flap thickness was 32.85±8.89 mm at 3 wk postoperatively and 29.27±8.22 mm at 6 mo postoperatively.The flap thickness was maintained without any major complications such as contour deformities or recurrence.CONCLUSION Although there was a significant decrease in flap thickness as measured by APCT,the combined flap provided sufficient padding and maintained its thickness even at 6 mo after reconstruction,suggesting that the combined flap modality may be a useful reconstruction option for patients with paraplegic decubitus ulcers.

Left lateral decubitus sleeping position is associated with improved gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND A limited number of studies have demonstrated that sleeping in the left lateral decubitus(LLD)decreases nocturnal reflux in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD)compared to right lateral decubitus(RLD)and supine.AIM This systematic review summarizes the association between sleeping in the LLD position and nocturnal reflux in patients with GERD.METHODS Studies published up to July 17,2023,in MEDLINE,EMBASE,and CENTRAL were searched.Eligible studies were randomized and nonrandomized studies assessing the effect of sleeping in LLD compared to RLD and supine in reducing nocturnal reflux in GERD patients.Outcomes include the acid exposure time(AET)(%time in pH<4),acid clearance time(ACT)(in sec/episode),number of reflux episodes,and improvement in N-GSSIQ scores.RESULTS Two nonrandomized studies showed decreased AET and ACT in LLD sleep position in comparison to RLD(mean difference[MD]-2.03[95%CI:-3.62 to-0.45];-81.84[95%CI:-127.48 to-36.20],respectively)and supine position(MD-2.71[95%CI:-4.34 to-1.09];-74.47[95%CI:-116.26 to-32.69],respectively).There was no difference in AET and ACT between RLD sleep position and supine.Furthermore,one randomized controlled trial investigating the use of electronic sleep positional therapy,which increased the duration of LLD sleep and decreased the duration of RLD sleep compared to sham,showed nocturnal symptoms improvement(improved N-GSSIQ score,increased reflux-free nights,and resolution of nocturnal reflux symptoms).CONCLUSION Current evidence suggests that sleeping on the left side could reduce nocturnal reflux and improve GERD-related quality of life,therefore warranting interventions that promote LLD sleep position.

RE-EVALUATION OF THE MECHANISM AND TREATMENT OF ANGINA DECUBITUS

patients with angina decubitus (AD) were studied during hospitalization. These patients were found to have severe coronary artery obstructive lesions and an increase of myocardial oxygen consumption (MOC) before the onset to AD, indicating that AD belongs to the category of effort angina.18 patients were investigated by continuous hemodynamic monitoring. Three patients had significant increase in pulmonary artery diastolic pressure (PADP) before the onset. In the other 15 patients. PADP increased slightly in 12 and remained unchanged in 3 cases before the onset. Left ventriculography showed ejection fraction (EF)>45% in 25 of the 27 patients. These results indicate that left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction is not a major factor in the Pathogenesis of AD. The patients with LVEDP>12 mmHg constituted 60% of 25 patients with EF>45%, suggesting that these patients had ohvious LV diastolic dysfunction, which may be the major factor in the pathogenesis of AD.According to the results of our treatment, beta blockers may be used as the major form of tteatment in the patients with AD.

THE EFFECT OF LEFT VENTRICULAR DIASTOLIC DYSFUNCTION ON THE PATHOGENESIS OF ANGINA DECUBITUS

Objective. To investigate the effect of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction on the pathogenesis of angina decubitus (AD). Methods. The study population consisted of three groups: 20 individuals without cardiovascular disease were studied as group Ⅰ.Group Ⅱ included 20 patents with coronary artery disease and without AD. Thirty-one patients with AD and ejection fraction(EF)>50% were studied as group Ⅲ. Group Ⅱ and Ⅲ were matched for age, EF and extent of coronary artery disease. Results. Left ventriculography (LVG) showed that left ventricular (LV) first 1/3 filling fraction(1/3FF) was significantly lower in group Ⅲ than in group Ⅱ and Ⅰ(both P<0001),but LV late 1/3 FF was much higher in group Ⅲ than in group Ⅱ and Ⅰ(P<005, P<001). Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure(LVEDP)was markedly increased before and after LVG in group Ⅱ and Ⅲ as compared with group Ⅰ (both P<005, both P<0001). The difference of LVEDP caused by left atrial contraction (left atrial contraction pressure difference, LACPD)before and after LVG was much higher in group Ⅲ than in group Ⅰ ( P<001, P<0001). Howevere,there were significant differences in LVEDP and in LACPD between before and after LVG only in group Ⅲ (both P<001). Conclusion. The patients with AD have LV diastolic dysfunction, which may be closely related to the pathogenesis of angina decubitus.

Accurate hemostasis with a new endoscopic overtube for emergency endoscopy

Endoscopic hemostasis performed in the emergency room is difficult due to the presence of blood clots and food residue that makes obtaining a clear view of the bleeding vessel difficult. We experienced the efficacy of a newly developed inverted overtube to shorten the hemostatic time and obtain a clear endoscopic view with upper gastrointestinal bleeding patient who were transferred by ambulance car and required emergency endoscopy. The technique improved the endoscopic views and enabled us to perform the hemostatic procedures from the conventional standing position while freely and easily changing the patient's position. The presence of blood clots and food residue in the gastric fornix or upper gastric body makes identifying a bleeding exposed vessel impossible. This set-up significantly shortened the procedure time. The inverted overtube helped us obtain a clear view in patients who were laid in the right lateral position. Rapid identification of ex-posed vessels resulted in success of hemostasis.

Effect of Right Supine Tracheal Extubation on Respiratory Complications and Airway Pressure in the Waking Period of General Anesthesia in Pediatric Stomatology

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of right supine endotracheal intubation on respiratory complications and airway pressure of general anesthesia, and to provide guidance for clinical application. Methods: Seventy-two children who received oral treatment under general anesthesia from November 2020 to November 2021 in Yantai Stomatological Hospital were randomly divided into three groups, 24 cases in each group. All three groups of children entered the PACU after the surgery. The children in Group I were extubated in the supine position, the children in Group II were immediately changed to the right decubitus after extubation in the horizontal position, and the children in Group III were extubated in the right decubitus. HR, MAP and SpO2 of T1 (the time point at the beginning of surgery), T2 (the time point at 1 hour after surgery), T3 (the time point after extubation), T4 (the time point at 1 minute after extubation), T5 (the time point at 3 minutes after extubation) in the three groups were observed, t1 (operation time) and t2 (the time of leaving the PACU) were recorded. The airway pressure (P1) in the recumbent position and the airway pressure (P2) in the right decubitus position before extubation were recorded in Group III. The number of sputum suction and complications after extubation were counted. Results: The t2 in Group III was shorter than that in Groups I and II, and the number of sputum suction in Group III was less than that in Groups I and II (P < 0.05). The HR at T3, T4 and T5 in Group III was lower than that in Group I, and the HR at T4 and T5 was lower than that in Group II (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in the incidence of respiratory complications among the three groups (P < 0.05). The incidence of asphyxia, bucking and glossocoma postoperative agitation in Group III was significantly lower than that in Group I, and the incidence of asphyxia and choking was lower than that in Group II (P < 0.05). The incidence of glossoptosis in Group II was significantly lower than that in Group I (P < 0.05). In Group III, the airway pressure P2 in the right decubitus position during endotracheal intubation was higher than that of P1 in the supine position during endotracheal intubation (P < 0.05). The 95% Confidence Interval (CI) of airway pressure difference was 1.416 - 1.834 cmH2O. Conclusion: For children undergoing intraoral therapy under general anesthesia, tracheal extubation in the right decubitus position can improve the circulation fluctuation before and after extubation, reducing the number of sputum suction and respiratory tract-related complications, and can shorten the departure time. The body position change during the tracheal intubation will slightly increase the airway pressure, but the supine position after extubation can better ensure the smooth spontaneous breathing of children, which can provide the reference for clinical application.

Analyses of possible risk factors for subacromial impingement syndrome

AIM: To evaluate the association between various risk factors, including sleeping position, and impingement syndrome. Impingement syndrome is the most common cause of shoulder problems. The pathogenesis of this problem is still debated these days.METHODS: This was a case control study conducted at the outpatient clinic of Songklanakarind hospital. Data regarding history, physical examination and radiographic evaluations using supraspinatous outlet views were obtained from all patients with clinically suspected impingement syndrome. The diagnoses of impingement syndrome were confirmed by a xylocaine subacromial injection test. All patients were interviewed concerning their usual sleeping position, which was categorized into supine, decubitus, prone and undetermined. Radiographs were evaluated to determine the shape of the acromion, which was divided into 3 types: flat, curved and hook. We used logistic regression analysis to determine the association between risk factors and outcome.RESULTS: The study group included 111 patients with impingement syndrome and 191 healthy volunteers as a control group. The mean age was about 50 years with a body mass index(BMI) of 24 kg/m2 in both groups. The most common shape of the acromion was flat(84.5%), followed by curved(10.7%) and hook(4.8%). We found the 4 independent risk factors affecting impingement syndrome were smoking status, occupation, acromion shape and sleeping position. Patients who currently smoked had a 6.8 times greater risk of impingement syndrome compared to non-smokers(OR 6.8, 95% CI: 1.2-39) and government officers had a 6.3 times increased risk compared to rubber tappers(OR 6.3, 95% CI: 1.3-30.3). Patients with a hook type acromion had 6.2 times the risk of flat type(OR 6.2, 95% CI: 1.1-35) and patients who slept in the decubitus position had 3.7 times the risk of those who slept in the supine position(OR 3.7, 95% CI: 1.2-11.6). No significant associations were found between age, sex, BMI, sports activity and impingement syndrome.CONCLUSION: Independent risk factors affecting impingement syndrome are current smoker, government officer, a hook-type acromion and the decubitus sleeping position.