Painful total hip replacement due to sciatic nerve entrapment in scar tissue and lipoma.

Painful total hip replacement remains a challenging problem because of the large amount of possible diagnoses. We report about a 64-year-old female patient who was misdiagnosed during 4 years as psychiatric. She suffered of excruciating left retrotrochanteric pain after the implantation of a cementless total hip replacement and revision because of recurrent hip dislocations. Walking was limited to short distances using two crutches. The work-up at this time included the usual diagnoses and remained unsuccessful. No loosening, infection or malposition of the prosthesis could be found, and she had no neurologic deficits in her operated leg. An MRI was obtained to visualize the retrotrochanteric soft tissues and showed a tight scar surrounding the sciatic nerve, which was also compressed by an adjacent lipoma. Therefore, she was reoperated on to remove the lipoma and the scar tissue around the sciatic nerve. To decrease the risk of recurrent scarring around the sciatic nerve, an adhesion barrier was applied before closure. One year after the operation, the patient has no neurologic deficit, no more pain and is able to walk unlimited distances without crutches. Scar tissue around the sciatic nerve is frequently observed during revision surgery. However, we feel that sciatic nerve entrapment by scar tissue should be a part of the differential diagnosis of painful THR. MRI may be a useful tool to achieve this diagnosis.

Caracterização das Unidades de Terapia Intensiva do município de São Paulo

Este estudo constitui-se numa parte inicial de um Projeto Integrado que visa analisar os recursos estruturais das UTIs do Município de São Paulo, incluindo o ambiente físico, recursos humanos, equipamentos e materiais. Os aspectos analisados neste artigo referem-se às características destas Unidades quanto à sua quantidade e distribuição geográfica, número de leitos, entidade mantenedora, tipo de atendimento, de clientela e de tratamento, assim como as médias de ocupação e de permanência. Por amostragem casual estratificada, foram selecionados 40% dos hospitais com UTI de cada uma das regiões integrantes do SUS no Município. A amostra estudada foi de 43 UTIs e o instrumento para coleta de dados foi um questionário respondido pelo enfermeiro responsável pela Unidade. O número de UTIs nos hospitais variou de 1 a 4 , sendo mais frequentes aqueles com urna única Unidade (68,8%). 79,2% das UTIs pertenciam a hospitais particulares e 51,2% localizavam-se na região centro-oeste do Município. Os leitos de terapia intensiva corresponderam a 8,0% do total de leitos hospitalares. Cada Unidade tinha, em média, 10 leitos. Predominaram as UTIs gerais (60,5%), as destinadas somente a pacientes adultos (51,2%) e as que atendiam tanto a pacientes clínicos como cirúrgicos ( 95,3%). Na maioria das Unidades, a porcentagem de ocupação mensal dos leitos foi de 80 a 100% e a média de permanência, de 4,5 dias.

Optimització del temps total d'escala d'aeronaus comercials

L'objectiu d'aquest projecte és analitzar com optimitzar el temps total d'escala d'una aeronau comercial, per tal de reduir els costos que suposa que l'aeronau estigui en terra. L'anàlisi es realitza a partir de conèixer quines són les operacions mínimes necessàries que cal dur a terme durant el tumaround i en quin ordre convé realitzar- les perquè el temps total sigui mínim. També s'estudien quins són els mètodes científics ja proposats i quins són els usats en l'actualitat. Fruit de l'estudi es proposa un model que permeti reduir els costos derivats de retards, afegint un temps addicional a l'escala, a partir de dades recollides de l'activitat comercial diària a l’aeroport de Barcelona. Dels resultats obtinguts es conclou que interessa afegir un buffer que absorbeixi possibles incidents, però convé que sigui dividit segons la franja horària del dia, per tal que s'adapti al màxim a les necessitats de cada vol, enlloc d'afegir un mateix buffer a tots els vols de qualsevol hora.

Utilização do brinquedo terapêutico, como um instrumento de intervenção de enfermagem, no preparo de crianças submetidas a coleta de sangue

O estudo é um quase-experimento, que teve como objetivo verificar o efeito da aplicação do Brinquedo Terapêutico sobre o comportamento de crianças pré-escolares, durante a coleta de sangue para exames laboratoriais. A amostra constituiu-se de 42 crianças divididas nos grupos controle e experimental. Todas as crianças tiveram seu comportamento observado, sendo apenas as do grupo experimental preparadas com o uso do Brinquedo Terapêutico. Os resultados foram analisados comparando-se o comportamento das crianças dos dois grupos e demonstraram que o preparo com o Brinquedo Terapêutico foi eficaz na compreensão do procedimento e no controle de suas reações comportamentais.

Effect of a pathological scapular tilt after total shoulder arthroplasty.

Total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) is an accepted and most successfully used treatment for different shoulder pathologies. Different risk factors for the failure of the prosthesis are known. A pathological scapular orientation, observed in elderly people or in patients suffering from neuromuscular diseases, could be a cause of failure, which has not been investigated yet. To test this hypothesis, a numerical musculoskeletal model of the glenohumeral joint was used to compare two TSA cases: a reference normal case and a case with a pathological anterior tilt of the scapula. An active abduction of 150° was simulated. Joint force, contact pattern, polyethylene and cement stress were evaluated for both cases. The pathological tilt slightly increased the joint force and the contact pressure, but also shifted the contact pattern. This eccentric contact increased the stress level within the polyethylene of the glenoid component and within the surrounding cement layer. This adverse effect occurred mainly during the first 60° of abduction. Therefore, a pathological orientation of the scapula may increase the risk of a failure of the cement layer around the glenoid component. These preliminary numerical results should be confirmed by a clinical study.

A interação enfermeira-recém-nascido durante a prática de aspiracão orotraqueal e coleta de sangue

Refletindo nossa vivência como enfermeiras na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal (UTIN), assim como da urgência em assistir o recém-nascido (RN) internado, objetivamos descrever a interação entre enfermeira e RN durante a prática do cuidado na aspiração orotraqueal, na coleta de sangue para exames laboratoriais com ênfase nas respostas fisiológicas e comportamentais. Pesquisa exploratória, descritiva, na qual utilizamos a Teoria de Paterson e Zderad (1976). Realizada numa maternidade pública, em Fortaleza-CE, com seis enfermeiras e 21 bebês de risco. Coletamos os dados no período de abril a junho de 2003. Os resultados demonstraram que os RNs, ao interagirem com os enfermeiros, apresentaram aumento da freqüência cardíaca, diminuição da saturação de oxigênio, expressão de choro, agitação, tranqüilidade, calma. O enfermeiro, na maioria das vezes, utilizou o toque técnico, mas pudemos presenciar, as relações Eu-Tu e Eu-Isso com base na Teoria Humanística a qual pode ser praticada no cotidiano do cuidado ao bebê.

Análise dos óbitos em idosos no Estudo SABE

O Estudo SABE - Saúde, Bem Estar e Envelhecimento - foi coordenado pela Organização Pan-Americana de Saúde, envolvendo sete países da América Latina e Caribe. No Brasil, foi desenvolvido no município de São Paulo, em 2000. Para a amostra de 2.143 idosos, foi aplicado um instrumento, composto por onze seções, em duas fases. O presente estudo teve por objetivo caracterizar e analisar as causas de óbito dos idosos, durante o período da coleta dos dados do SABE. Do total de óbitos ocorridos, 55,3% pertenciam ao sexo masculino e a idades avançadas. A maioria dos idosos vivia acompanhada e não precisou de ajuda para responder ao questionário. As doenças que apresentaram maior incidência foram: aparelho circulatório, neoplasias e aparelho respiratório. Espera-se que os resultados desse estudo possam contribuir para a adoção de medidas preventivas que visem à diminuição dos riscos relacionados aos óbitos entre idosos.

Mobile or fixed bearing for total knee arthroplasty? Ambulatory gait analysis results

Background: Mobile-bearing knee replacements have some theoretical advantages over fixed-bearing devices. However, very few randomized controlled clinical trials have been published to date, and studies showed little clinical and subjective advantages for the mobile-bearing using traditional systems of scoring. The choice of the ideal outcome measure to assess total joint replacement remains a complex issue. However, gait analysis provides objective and quantifying evidences of treatment evaluation. Significant methodological advances are currently made in gait analysis laboratories and ambulatory gait devices are now available. The goal of this study was to provide gait parameters as a new objective method to assess total knee arthroplasty outcome between patients with fixed- and mobile-bearing, using an ambulatory device with minimal sensor configuration. This randomized controlled double-blind study included to date 14 patients: the gait signatures of four patients with mobile-bearing were compared to the gait signatures of nine patients with fixed-bearing pre-operatively and post-operatively at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. Each participant was asked to perform two walking trials of 30m long at his/her preferred speed and to complete a EQ-5D questionnaire, a WOMAC and Knee Society Score (KSS). Lower limbs rotations were measured by four miniature angular rate sensors mounted respectively, on each shank and thigh. A new method for a portable system for gait analysis has been developed with very encouraging results regarding the objective outcome of total knee arthroplasty using mobile- and fixed-bearings.

Use of new biochemical plasmatic markers, plasma free and total metanephrines, for the diagnosis and follow-up of neuroblastoma in children with clinical correlation

Background: Neuroblastoma is a paediatrictumour derived from the neural crest. Biochemical diagnosis and follow up rely on quantitation of urinary catecholamines (dopamine and noradrenaline) and their metabolites vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) (gold-standard). When combined, these analyses have a sensitivity of 95%. However, they are clearly limited by inaccuracy of urine collection in young children and normalisation of catecholamine concentrations by creatininuria. Recent development in biochemical diagnosis of pheochromocytoma, another neural crest tumour found in adults, shows that plasmatic measurement of methoxylated catecholamines called metanephrines are more sensitive and specific than other biomarkers. Moreover, a study to determine the reference intervals for metanephrines in a pediatric population has recently been completed. The aim of this work is to describe the role of metanephrines monitoring in the follow up of neuroblastoma. Method: This retrospective study included patients with neuroblastoma in whom the following parameters were determined: plasma free and total metanephrines, plasma catecholamines, 24h urinary catecholamines and metanephrines in absolute value and corrected by creatinine, VMA and HVA at the diagnosis and during treatment at the University Hospital of Lausanne (Switzerland). Eleven patients aged between the first day of life and 7 years old were followed between 2005 and 2012. Clinical outcome and biochemical concentrations of the analytes were correlated. Results: At diagnosis, plasma free and total normetanephrines and methoxytyramine have a sensitivity of 100% compared to 85% for the actual gold standard. Metanephrine remain below the upper reference limit as expected since these tumours do not produce adrenaline. The relationship between biochemical markers and clinical outcome is illustrated graphically. Plasma or urinary normetanephrine and methoxytyramine correlate better with the history of the patient than VMA and HVA, as evaluated by ordinal logistic regression. Concentrations of analytes in urine show a better correlation with clinical events when the results are corrected by creatininuria. Conclusion: Normetanephrine and methoxytyramine reflect disease history in neuroblastoma patients and could play a significant role in the follow up of this type of tumour. Formal studies in a sufficient number of patients are needed to confirm this preliminary observation.

Acute total hip arthroplasty for acetabular fractures in the elderly: 11 patients followed for 2 years.

We describe the use of cable fixation and acute total hip replacement for acetabular fracture in the elderly. 12 patients with acetabular fractures, having a mean age of 79 (65-93) years, were treated with cable fixation and acute total hip arthroplasty. 8 were T-shaped fractures and 4 associated fractures of the posterior column and posterior wall. 1 patient died 5 months after surgery and the remaining 11 were followed for 2 years. All patients had a good clinical outcome. Radiographic assessment showed healing of the fracture and a satisfactory alignment of the cup without loosening. This surgical technique provides good primary fixation, stabilizes complex acetabular fractures in elderly patients with osteoporotic bone and permits early postoperative mobilization.

Fatores de risco para a não adesão ao tratamento com terapia antiretroviral altamente eficaz

O estudo objetivou: mensurar a prevalência de não-adesão à terapia anti-retroviral altamente eficaz (HAART) em pacientes com AIDS; identificar se alguns fatores relacionados na literatura estavam associados com a não-adesão; estabelecer o valor preditivo dos fatores associados à não-adesão à HAART. Foi realizado um estudo analítico de prevalência (N=60). Foram considerados os três dias anteriores à entrevista e os pacientes classificados como aderentes quando ingeriam 95% ou mais do total de comprimidos prescritos por dia. A adesão foi de 73,3%. A análise de regressão logística multivariada indicou que indivíduos da raça negra apresentaram 6,48 vezes mais risco de não-adesão; aqueles que apresentaram ausência de efeito colateral tiveram um risco 7,6 vezes maior, e a cada comprimido ingerido o risco foi de 1,12. A adesão observada foi maior que a encontrada na literatura. Os fatores sociodemográficos e culturais podem interferir na adesão à HAART.

Influence of preoperative leg pain and radiculopathy on outcomes in mono-segmental lumbar total disc replacement: results from a nationwide registry.

PURPOSE: Currently, many pre-conditions are regarded as relative or absolute contraindications for lumbar total disc replacement (TDR). Radiculopathy is one among them. In Switzerland it is left to the surgeon's discretion when to operate if he adheres to a list of pre-defined indications. Contraindications, however, are less clearly specified. We hypothesized that, the extent of pre-operative radiculopathy results in different benefits for patients treated with mono-segmental lumbar TDR. We used patient perceived leg pain and its correlation with physician recorded radiculopathy for creating the patient groups to be compared. METHODS: The present study is based on the dataset of SWISSspine, a government mandated health technology assessment registry. Between March 2005 and April 2009, 577 patients underwent either mono- or bi-segmental lumbar TDR, which was documented in a prospective observational multicenter mode. A total of 416 cases with a mono-segmental procedure were included in the study. The data collection consisted of pre-operative and follow-up data (physician based) and clinical outcomes (NASS form, EQ-5D). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted with patients' self-indicated leg pain and the surgeon-based diagnosis "radiculopathy", as marked on the case report forms. As a result, patients were divided into two groups according to the severity of leg pain. The two groups were compared with regard to the pre-operative patient characteristics and pre- and post-operative pain on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and quality of life using general linear modeling. RESULTS: The optimal ROC model revealed a leg pain threshold of 40 ≤ VAS > 40 for the absence or the presence of "radiculopathy". Demographics in the resulting two groups were well comparable. Applying this threshold, the mean pre-operative leg pain level was 16.5 points in group 1 and 68.1 points in group 2 (p < 0.001). Back pain levels differed less with 63.6 points in group 1 and 72.6 in group 2 (p < 0.001). Pre-operative quality of life showed considerable differences with an 0.44 EQ-5D score in group 1 and 0.29 in group 2 (p < 0.001, possible score range -0.6 to 1). At a mean follow-up time of 8 months, group 1 showed a mean leg pain improvement of 3.6 points and group 2 of 41.1 points (p < 0.001). Back pain relief was 35.6 and 39.1 points, respectively (p = 0.27). EQ-5D score improvement was 0.27 in group 1 and 0.41 in group 2 (p = 0.11). CONCLUSIONS: Patients labeled as having radiculopathy (group 2) do mostly have pre-operative leg pain levels ≥ 40. Applying this threshold, the patients with pre-operative leg pain do also have more severe back pain and a considerably lower quality of life. Their net benefit from the lumbar TDR is higher and they do have similar post-operative back and leg pain levels as well as the quality of life as patients without pre-operative leg pain. Although randomized controlled trials are required to confirm these findings, they put leg pain and radiculopathy into perspective as absolute contraindications for TDR.

Uso de cobertura com colágeno e aloe vera no tratamento de ferida isquêmica: estudo de caso

O presente estudo relata o caso clínico de um paciente diabético e hipertenso, portador de ferida isquêmica, tratado com cobertura não convencional, à base de Aloe vera e colágeno. Faz parte de um projeto de pesquisa experimental, coordenado por professores e enfermeiros que atuam em projetos para o desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias para o tratamento de feridas. O caso em tela foi selecionado dentre os dos demais pacientes acompanhados. A coleta de dados foi efetuada através da anamnese e exame físico do paciente, utilizando-se um instrumento com dados relativos às condições do paciente e da lesão, bem como através do registro fotográfico da lesão. Os curativos foram realizados diariamente e, ao final de aproximadamente dez semanas, observou-se a total cicatrização da lesão. Não foram observados desconfortos ou complicações decorrentes do uso do produto, concluindo-se que o mesmo apresentou boa tolerabilidade e eficácia terapêutica para este caso em particular.