Background: In South Africa (SA), the Saving Mothers Reports have shown an alarming increase in deaths during or after caesarean delivery.
Objective: To improve maternal surgical safety in KwaZulu-Natal Province, SA, by implementing the modified World Health Organization surgical safety checklist for maternity care (MSSCL) in maternity operating theatres.
Methods: The study was a stratified cluster-randomised controlled trial conducted from March to November 2013. Study sites were 18 hospitals offering maternal surgical services in the public health sector. Patients requiring maternal surgical intervention at the study sites were included. Pre-intervention surgical outcomes were assessed. Training of healthcare personnel took place over 1 month, after which the MSSCL was implemented. Post-intervention surgical outcomes were assessed and compared with the pre-intervention findings and the control arm. The main outcome measure was the mean incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of adverse incidents associated with surgery.
Results: Significant improvements in the adverse incident rate per 1 000 procedures occurred with combined outcomes (IRR 0.805, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.706 - 0.917), postoperative sepsis (IRR 0.619, 95% CI 0.451 - 0.849), referral to higher levels of care (IRR 1.409, 95% CI 1.066 - 1.862) and unscheduled return to the operating theatre (IRR 0.719, 95% CI 0.574 - 0.899) in the intervention arm. Subgroup analysis based on the quality of implementation demonstrated greater reductions in maternal mortality in hospitals that were good implementers of the MSSCL.
Conclusions: Incorporation of the MSSCL into routine surgical practice has now been recommended for all public sector hospitals in SA, and emphasis should be placed on improving the quality of implementation.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.7196/SAMJ.2017.v107i3.11320 | DOI Listing |
Retina
October 2024
Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
Purpose: The research investigates the efficacy of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) treatment in facilitating the development of compact water droplets on the rear surface of synthetic lenses with capsule imperfections during the process of fluid-air exchange.
Method: This study examined four patients with intraocular lens (IOL) implants and posterior capsule defects who experienced the formation of dense water droplets on the posterior surface following fluid-air exchange. When this occurrence obstructs fundus visualization during surgery, it is recommended to suspend the surgical procedure.
Wounds
December 2024
MediWound, Ltd, Yavne, Israel.
Background: Chronic hard-to-heal wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and pressure ulcers, present significant safety concerns, patient burdens, and challenges to health care systems globally.
Objective: To review the mechanism of action and clinical function of bromelain-based enzymatic debridement (BBD) in the context of wound care, focusing on the mechanism of action of BBD and its formulation for chronic wounds in particular.
Methods: A literature review was conducted to assess both bromelain's mechanism of action as well as clinical and preclinical studies on the use of BBD, searching the PubMed and Google Scholar databases for articles published between November 1992 and July 2024.
Ann Plast Surg
December 2024
Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Department and Burn Unit, São João University Hospital, Porto, Portugal.
Background: Previous studies demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of tranexamic acid (TXA) in several surgical specialties. Recent publications suggested that TXA may also be beneficial in plastic surgery, including breast procedures.
Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of TXA in reduction mammaplasty by assessing several intraoperative and postoperative outcomes and the safety of its administration.
Gastric Cancer
January 2025
Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, China.
Background: Laparoscopic gastrectomy lacks hand-direct tactile sense and has a limited surgical field compared to laparotomy. Apart from textbook classification, there are anatomical variations in the gastric arteries. Laparoscopic gastrectomy presents technical difficulties and necessitates a more comprehensive comprehension of regional anatomy than open surgical procedures.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVet Res Commun
January 2025
Department of Biomaterials and Medical Devices Engineering, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Roosevelta 40, Zabrze, 41-800, Poland.
Chronic instability at the lumbosacral junction, particularly between the L7 vertebra and the sacral bone, presents significant challenges in veterinary orthopedics, especially for large breed dogs. This condition frequently results in severe pain, neurological deficits, and mobility impairments, prompting the development of various surgical techniques aimed at effectively stabilizing the affected area. A critical evaluation of the literature on surgical stabilization of the lumbosacral spine in dogs reveals the clinical applications, outcomes, and future directions in veterinary spinal surgery.
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