IntroductionDiathermy is an integral part of many modern surgical procedures. While diathermy is generally accepted as ‘safe’, electrosurgery-induced injuries are among the more common causes for malpractice litigation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the awareness among surgeons of the principles, risks, precautions and appropriate use of diathermy.MethodsAll surgeons employed from Senior House Officer (SHO) to Consultant grade in two teaching hospitals were surveyed. Sixty-three surgeons were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire, which recorded level of training and addressed competence in principles, hazards, and precautions to be taken with diathermy.ResultsEight Consultants, 5 Specialist Registrars, 19 Registrars and 13 SHO's responded (71% response). All but three subspecialties were represented. Eighty-two percent (37/45) had no formal diathermy training. Despite 89% (40/45) of surgeons regarding diathermy as a safe instrument, 56% felt they had inadequate understanding of the principles and failed to demonstrate an appropriate awareness of the potential risks. Fifty seven percent exhibited a dangerous lack of awareness in managing equipment not yielding the desired effect and 22% were unaware of any patient groups requiring special caution. Only 42% wanted formal training.ConclusionOur results show a dearth of awareness among surgeons regarding diathermy. Given our findings, we urge a shift in attitude towards diathermy, with surgeons adopting a more cautious and safe approach to diathermy use. We recommend that formal training be introduced as a hospital based initiative.
Objective: Many public access defibrillators (PAD) incorporate computer programs to provide audiovisual feedback to assist the user to deliver cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) according to current international guidelines. This usability study assessed if a PAD integrated with a real-time audiovisual CPR feedback system can guide lay-users to optimum chest compression rates, and if it is detrimental to chest compression depth. Methods: Randomly selected volunteers (15+ years) were recruited for two experiments. Experiment 1 (n=156) assessed the time taken to achieve the "Good speed" audio prompt (i.e. perform compressions at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute) and chest compression fraction (CCF). Experiment 2 (n=140) assessed the effect of rate-only CPR feedback on chest compression depth. Two devices of the same model were used, one with CPR rate feedback, and the other with CPR feedback disabled. The difference in compression depths and CCF were assessed. Results: Experiment 1: A total of 136 (87.2%) participants achieved "Good speed" within 45 seconds with a mean CCF of 90.3% recorded. Experiment 2: The device with feedback lead to a mean (SE) depth of 24.61mm (0.99) compared to 20.08mm (0.96) for the feedback disabled device. ANCOVA analysis provided a mean significant difference (Standard Error; SE) of 4.52mm (1.38mm; p-value=0.001) favouring the device with CPR rate feedback. Conclusions: CPR rate-only feedback was not detrimental to chest compression depth and suggests rate-only feedback may improve compression depth. Significance: The incorporation of clear, intuitive, audiovisual CPR feedback systems can assist lay-users to optimise compression rates and maintain a high CCF.
The purpose of this study was to report both the radiographic and functional outcomes of patients undergoing knee arthrodesis with the Wichita Fusion Nail (WFN) within the Republic of Ireland and compare the results to existing literature. Patient charts and radiographs were reviewed on all patients who had a WFN implanted in Ireland to date. Patients were invited to complete a Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score as a functional assessment. Twenty-three patients were identified. Patients had an average of 8 (range: 0-26) knee surgeries prior to arthrodesis. The most common indication was failed arthroplasty due to recalcitrant infection (69.5%). Successful fusion occurred in 60.8% of patients. The mean time to fusion was 9.21 months. The mean WOMAC score was 58.55 with a range of 31 to 96. We found a rate of arthrodesis lower than that reported in other published series. However, the rate of major complications was comparable to those published previously, reflecting the often-challenging patient cohort. Our study shows that the WFN should not be viewed as a near-universally successful option to salvage an unreconstructable knee.
BackgroundPublic access defibrillators (PADs) represent unique life-saving medical devices as they may be used by untrained lay rescuers. Collecting representative clinical data on these devices can be challenging. Here, we present results from a retrospective observational cohort study, describing real-world PAD utilisation over a 5-year period.MethodsData were collected between October 2012 and October 2017. Responders voluntarily submitted electronic data downloaded from HeartSine PADs, and patient demographics and other details using a case report form in exchange for a replacement battery and electrode pack.ResultsData were collected for 977 patients (692 males, 70.8%; 255 females, 26.1%; 30 unknown, 3.1%). The mean age (SD) was 59 (18) years (range <1 year to 101 years). PAD usage occurred most commonly in homes (n=328, 33.6%), followed by public places (n=307, 31.4%) and medical facilities (n=128, 13.1%). Location was unknown in 40 (4.09%) events. Shocks were delivered to 354 patients. First shock success was 312 of 350 patients where it could be determined (89.1%, 95% CI 85.4% to 92.2%). Patients with reported response times ≤5 min were more likely to survive to hospital admission (89/296 (30.1%) vs 40/250 (16.0%), p<0.001). Response time was unknown for 431 events.ConclusionThis is the first study to report global PAD usage in voluntarily submitted, unselected real-world cases and demonstrates the real-world effectiveness of PADs, as confirmed by first shock success.
Background: The National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) provide a framework of evidencebased guidelines for the management of metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC). We aimed to compare our center's provision of service to these best practice guidelines and discuss key shortcomings with their implications for the spinal surgeon. Methods: Patients with radiologic evidence of MSCC over a 30-month period were identified using the hospital electronic radiological database. A chart review was performed analyzing MSCC management. Results: Forty-one patients were identified. Pain was the most common presenting complaint, occurring in 76% of patients. Radiotherapy alone was the most common therapy employed (93% of patients). A surgical opinion was sought for 51% of patients. Histological diagnosis of the causative lesion occurred in 5 patients from surgical specimens. Conclusions: Incongruities between NICE guidelines and our practice exist. Early involvement of the spinal surgical services needs to be encouraged. Establishing a histological diagnosis of the spinal lesion should be seen as of therapeutic importance.
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