Socio-economic factors and rural-urban differences in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy.

Background: Emergency laparotomy (EL) is a common surgical procedure with high rates of mortality and complications. Socio-economic circumstances and regional differences have an influence on the utilization of care and outcomes in many diagnostic groups, but there are only a few studies focusing on their effect in EL population. The aim of this study was to examine the socio-economic and regional differences in the rate of EL within one tertiary care hospital district.

Artificial intelligence-enhanced care pathway planning and scheduling system: content validity assessment of required functionalities.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are transforming the optimization of clinical and patient workflows in healthcare. There is a need for research to specify clinical requirements for AI-enhanced care pathway planning and scheduling systems to improve human-AI interaction in machine learning applications. The aim of this study was to assess content validity and prioritize the most relevant functionalities of an AI-enhanced care pathway planning and scheduling system.

Long-term mortality after endovascular thrombectomy for stroke.

Objectives: Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) has become the standard treatment for large vessel occlusion (LVO) in acute ischemic stroke. Stroke trials typically report clinical outcome at the three-month time point but there is a lack of studies focusing on the long-term outcome after EVT. The aim of this study is to assess the long-term mortality after EVT for stroke and to determine the factors that are associated with mortality.

Postoperative Complications and Outcome After Emergency Laparotomy: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Emergency laparotomy (EL) is a common urgent surgical procedure with high risk for postoperative complications. Complications impair the prognosis and prolong the hospital stay. This study explored the incidence and distribution of complications and their impact on short-term mortality after EL.

Accuracy of dispatch and prehospital triage performance in poisonings - A retrospective study from northern Finland.

Background: Increasing numbers of dispatches place a burden on EMS; this study sought to assess the prehospital evaluation of poisoned patients transported to hospital. The primary aim of this study was to measure dispatch centre and EMS provider performance as well as factors contributing to the recognition of poisoning among prehospital patients. The secondary aim was to compare triage performance between dispatch centres and EMS providers.

Long-term Outcomes After Emergency Laparotomy: a Retrospective Study.

Background: Emergency laparotomy (EL) is a common surgical operation with poor outcomes. Patients undergoing EL are often frail and have chronic comorbidities, but studies focused on the long-term outcomes after EL are lacking. The aim of the present study was to examine the long-term mortality after EL.

Outcomes in patients requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission after emergency laparotomy: A retrospective study.

Purpose: Outcomes after emergency laparotomy (EL) are poor. These patients are often admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). This study explored outcomes in patients who were admitted to an ICU within 48 h after EL.

Quality of life after free flap reconstruction for the cancer of the head and neck: Comparison between five-year survivors and non-survivors.

Background: Free flap surgery due to the cancer of the head and neck includes high risk of postoperative complications and a five-year mortality up to 50%. We aimed to study the relation between the quality of life (QoL) reported two years after the operation and the mortality during a next three-year follow-up. We aimed to study the relation between the quality of life (QoL) reported two years after the operation and the mortality during a next three-year follow-up.

Quality of life in head and neck cancer patients at 5 years after free flap reconstruction: a significant decline during the follow-up.

Purpose: Free flap reconstructions following head and neck tumor resection are known to involve more than 50% rate of complications and other adverse events and up to 50% mortality during a 5-year follow-up. We aimed to examine the difference in the long-term quality of life (QoL) between the 2-year and 5-year assessments after free flap surgery for cancer of the head and neck.

Methods: A total of 28 of the 39 eligible patients responded to the survey.

Medical complications and outcome after endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke.

Aim: Endovascular therapy (EVT) in acute stroke is an effective but invasive treatment which is frequently followed by various complications. The aim of the present study was to examine the rate of medical complications and other adverse events following EVT.

Methods: Retrospective single-center study of 380 consecutive stroke patients who received EVT between the years 2015-2019.

Emergency department admission and mortality of the non-transported emergency medical service patients: a cohort study from Northern Finland.

Objectives: A high number of emergency medical service (EMS) patients are not transported to hospital by ambulance. Various non-transport protocols and guidelines have been implemented by different EMS providers. The present study examines subsequent tertiary care ED and hospital admission and mortality of the patients assessed and not transported by EMS in Northern Finland and evaluates the factors predicting these outcomes.

Early impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and social restrictions on ambulance missions.

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had a major impact on health care services globally. Recent studies report that emergency departments have experienced a significant decline in the number of admitted patients in the early phase of the pandemic. To date, research regarding the influence of COVID-19 on emergency medical services (EMS) is limited.

Perioperative Risk Factors for One-Year Mortality in Patients With Free-Flap Reconstruction Due to Cancer of the Head and Neck.

Purpose: Head and neck cancer requiring free-flap reconstruction is associated with relatively high mortality. We aimed to evaluate perioperative risk factors for 1-year mortality in this patient group.

Methods: This is a single-center retrospective analysis of 204 patients operated during 2008 to 2018.

Nutrition delivery after emergency laparotomy in surgical ward: a retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: Adequate nutrition after major abdominal surgery is associated with less postoperative complications and shorter hospital length of stay (LOS) after elective procedures, but there is a lack of studies focusing on the adequacy of nutrition after emergency laparotomies (EL). The aim of the present study was to investigate nutrition adequacy after EL in surgical ward.

Methods: The data from 405 adult patients who had undergone emergency laparotomy in Oulu University Hospital (OUH) between years 2015 and 2017 were analyzed retrospectively.

Treatment profile and long-term outcome of intensive care unit-admitted patients with liver cirrhosis or other liver disease in relation to alcohol consumption.

Objective: To examine the impact of alcohol consumption on the treatment profile, mortality and causes of death in intensive care unit (ICU)-admitted patients with liver cirrhosis and other liver disease.

Methods: Data on liver disease and ICU treatment of patients with previously diagnosed liver disease between 2015 and 2017 were retrospectively collected from medical records at Oulu University Hospital, Finland. The median follow-up was 367 days.

Causes of nutrition deficit during immediate postoperative period after free flap surgery for cancer of the head and neck.

Purpose: The aim of the present of study was to examine nutrition deficit during the immediate postoperative in-hospital period following free flap surgery for cancer of the head and neck (HNC). Underfeeding and malnutrition are known to be associated with impaired short- and long-time recovery after major surgery.

Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study included 218 HNC patients who underwent free flap surgery in Oulu University Hospital, Finland between the years 2008 and 2018.

Swallowing-related quality of life after free flap surgery due to cancer of the head and neck.

Purpose: Treatment of head and neck cancers (HNC) often leads to impairment in speech and swallowing functions. This study evaluated swallowing problems and the impact of complications on swallowing-related QOL after free flap surgery for HNC.

Methods: Swallowing-related QOL was assessed using MDADI and SWAL questionnaires.

Quality of life after free flap surgery for cancer of the head and neck in patients with or without postoperative complications.

Background: Despite advances in surgical techniques, postoperative complications are frequent after free flap surgery for cancer of the head and neck. The present study assessed quality of life (QOL) in patients with and without postoperative complications.

Methods: QOL was evaluated using RAND-36, EORTC-C30 and H&N-35, and UW-QOL questionnaires.

Goal-directed fluid management in free flap surgery for cancer of the head and neck.

Background: Goal-directed fluid management using stroke volume variation (SVV) analysis is not well studied in free flap reconstruction surgery in patients with head and neck cancer.

Methods: Patients operated due to cancer of the head and neck with free flap reconstruction during 2008-2010 and 2012-2014 in Oulu University Hospital were retrospectively evaluated to determine the impact of SVV-guided fluid management on perioperative fluid balance, postoperative complications and hospital length of stay (LOS).

Results: A total of 104 patients were included in the study and in 48 of them SVV was used to guide intraoperative fluid management.