Topical cepae extract-heparin sodium-allantoin gel versus placebo on hypertrophic thyroidectomy scars: A randomized, double- blinded, split-scar controlled trial

@#OBJECTIVE/strong: Topical cepae extract-heparin sodium-allantoin gel is one of the many non-invasive scar treatments available to improve the appearance and physical attributes of scars. This paper aims to compare the effectiveness of topical cepae extract-heparin sodium-allantoin gel versus placebo based on appearance and physical attributes of hypertrophic thyroidectomy scars.br /br /strongMETHODS/strong:br /strongDesign/strong: Randomized, double-blinded, split-scar controlled trialbr /strongSetting/strong: Out-Patient Department of a tertiary government hospitalbr /strongPatient/strong: 20 patients with hypertrophic thyroidectomy scars had each side of the scar randomly assigned treatment with topical extract cepae-heparin sodium-allantoin gel or placebo (glycerine gel). Each product was applied two times daily for six weeks, and scars were evaluated prior to initiation of treatment and after six weeks by patients and one observer. Pre- and post- treatment photo documentation and scar evaluation using a local language translation of the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) were completed for each side of the scar.br /br /strongRESULTS/strong: There was no significant difference in effectiveness of topical cepae extract-heparin sodium-allantoin gel versus placebo for both the patient scale (p = 0.91) and observer scale (p = 0.87) in appearance and physical attributes of a thyroidectomy scar.br /br /strongCONCLUSION/strong: Topical cepae extract-heparin sodium-allantoin gel was not proven to be superior to the placebo as scar therapy in all parameters assessed by the Filipino translation of POSAS. The small sample size, duration of hypertrophic scar, duration of treatment, and validity and reliability of the Filipino translation of POSAS may have affected our results; and periodic subjective and objective assessments with multi-observer evaluation of scars and pre- and post- treatment photographs may be considered for further studies./p

A cross-sectional survey on the awareness and basic knowledge on newborn hearing screening of obstetric and pediatric residents

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the obstetric and pediatric residents are aware of newborn hearing screening; To determine whether the obstetric and pediatric residents are knowledgeable regarding newborn hearing screening; To compare the results as a function of the type of training institution (private or government). STUDY DESIGN: Cross sectional study SETTING: Randomly selected tertiary hospitals in the National Capital Region METHODOLOGY: A structured questionnaire pertaining to the awareness and basic knowledge of newborn hearing screening was distributed to tertiary hospitals in the National Capital Region (NCR) of the Republic of the Philippines. All obstetric and pediatric residents of each of the tertiary hospitals were the respondents of this study. Frequencies were determined from the respondent's responses to the questionnaire. RESULTS: Out of 175 questionnaires distributed, there were 134 respondents (86 pediatrics and 48 obgyne) Eighty (93 percent) pediatric residents were aware of newborn hearing screening but only 43 (50 percent) of pediatric residents were knowledgeable of the hearing test. Thirty five (73 percent) of obstetric residents were aware of newborn hearing screening and only 5 (10 percent) were knowledgeable about the hearing test. Majority of those who were knowledgeable are from private institutions (79.2 percent) as compared to respondents from government institution (20.8 percent). CONCLUSION: A majority of obstetric and pediatric residents were aware of the newborn hearing screening but only a third of respondents had basic knowledge of the hearing test. Of those who were knowledgeable, most were training in private institutions where the machine was available. It is essential for the physician to be both aware and knowledgeable about newborn hearing screening to counsel and educate parents about the importance of early identification of and intervention for congenital or newborn hearing problems. A program to provide more knowledge regarding newborn hearing screening among pediatric and obstetric residents should be therefore developed. (Author)