ABSTRACT
<p>Objectives: A cancer salon was established at Jichi Medical University Hospital in April 2014 operated based on the plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycle. This study aims to understand the actual situation of the cancer salon and outcomes of participants, and utilize the information for optimal administration. Methods: The cancer salon was open to the public and conducted in our hospital. The program consisted of mini-lectures, relaxation, and interaction with the participants. We conducted a questionnaire survey for the participants. Results: We held 11 sessions from April 2014 to March 2015. The total number of participants was 369, and the average number of participants per session was 34 (22-50). Participants mainly consisted of patients and families who received care in our hospital. A high percentage of participants were women in their 60’s, patients who were newly diagnosed cancer within 3 years, or patients with breast cancer. Participants’ satisfaction tended to be high in lectures and relaxation, and there was a tendency for anxiety to be alleviated in their psychological state. Discussion: We must challenge that we refine quantitative evaluation methods and develop the system of assessment of detailed needs and provide appropriate support. Furthermore, we would like to propagate this system to the area around our hospital, support the development of cancer salons at other medical institutions, collaborate with them, and contribute to the creation of an inclusive society.</p>
ABSTRACT
Thrombomodulin is an endothelial cell membrane protein that is released into the blood in soluble forms in response to endothelial damage. We evaluated thrombomodulin in blood samples taken from the femoral vein before, during and after elective surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm in 9 patients. Thrombomodulin was measured using an ETA assay. Thrombomodulin decreased significantly just before aortic declamp from before surgery (<i>p</i><0.001), and remained unchanged just after and 1 hour after aortic declamp. Three hours after aortic declamp, thrombomodulin increased significantly from 1 hour after aortic declamp (<i>p</i><0.01), peaked at 6 hours after aortic declamp and then decreased. These data suggest that thrombomodulin did not increase significantly during surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm.
ABSTRACT
We encountered an unusual disruption of an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (EPTFE) axillofemoral bypass graft apart from that anastomoses. We suspected the possible robe of the physical effects of body movement provoking the disruption of the axillofemoral bypass graft and therefore examined the physical effect of body movement on the axillary-to-femoral artery graft in 15 healthy men. At the lower part of the graft, the physical effect was significantly stronger. The disruption of this axillary-to-femoral artery graft was associated with the physical effect of body movement.
ABSTRACT
We experienced unusual dilatation of gelatin-impregnated knitted Dacron prostheses after abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery. Therefore, we investigated dilatation of gelatin impregnated knitted Dacron grafts compared with other types of Dacron grafts after abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery. Eighteen grafts inserted after abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery were studied for to evaluate dilatation. Enhance CT was used to determine the external diameter of the most dilated portion of the abdominal aortic grafts and high speed plain CT was used to determine the most dilated internal diameter. The gelatin-impregnated knitted Dacron grafts dilated from 25% to 43.8% (mean 31.8±7.2%), significantly more than collagen impregnated woven Dacron grafts (<i>p</i>=0.0003). Moreover, high fever was frequently noticed after these grafts implantation (66.7%). Therefore, caution must be used concerning these implantation in aortic lesions and careful follow-up study should be performed after implantation.