Direct versus indirect transfer for traumatic brain injury to James Cook University Hospital: a retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with traumatic brain injury are referred to the neurosurgical unit at James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, either from local accident and emergency departments (direct transfer from the scene) or from other hospitals (indirect transfer). This study looked at the outcome in both groups. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study using trauma audit research network data for patients treated for traumatic brain injury at the neurosurgery department at the neurosurgical unit at James Cook University Hospital. RESULTS: A total of 356 patients with traumatic brain injury were admitted under the care of neurosurgeons; 143 (40%) of these patients had a neurosurgical procedure. Of the patients undergoing a neurological procedure, 111 patients were transferred directly while 32 were indirect transfers; 213 patients were managed conservatively. Of those managed conservatively, 165 were transferred directly while 48 were indirect transfers. We compared the length of hospital stay and Glasgow Outcome Scale score for the patients based on whether they were conservatively managed or required surgery in the direct and indirect transfer groups. The difference in the length of stay in the surgical and conservative groups following direct and indirect transfer was insignificant (p = 0.07). The time to the operation in direct and indirect transfer was also not statistically significant (p = 0.06). CONCLUSION: Patients are as safe, if not safer, by reaching the nearest trauma unit with facilities for resuscitation and imaging.

Amelogenesis Imperfecta: 1 Family, 2 Phenotypes, and 2 Mutated Genes.

Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by enamel defects. The authors have identified a large consanguineous Moroccan family segregating different clinical subtypes of hypoplastic and hypomineralized AI in different individuals within the family. Using targeted next-generation sequencing, the authors identified a novel heterozygous nonsense mutation in COL17A1 (c.1873C>T, p.R625*) segregating with hypoplastic AI and a novel homozygous 8-bp deletion in C4orf26 (c.39_46del, p.Cys14Glyfs*18) segregating with hypomineralized-hypoplastic AI in this family. This study highlights the phenotypic and genotypic heterogeneity of AI that can exist even within a single consanguineous family. Furthermore, the identification of novel mutations in COL17A1 and C4orf26 and their correlation with distinct AI phenotypes can contribute to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of AI and the contribution of these genes to amelogenesis.

Palatogram revisited.

It is the responsibility of the dentist to fabricate a denture that is fully functional and perfectly esthetic. One prime oral function that has always been overlooked in this regard is speech. It has been thought that speech will follow mere replacement of teeth and that it is the patient's duty to fine tune this function with practice. Phonetics, esthetics, function and comfort form the foundation of a successful prosthodontic treatment. Accurate approximation of palatal contours of a maxillary complete denture to a patient's tongue can improve speech intelligibility, if other factors such as tooth position, occlusal plane and occlusal vertical dimension are satisfactory. Customizing palatal contours of a maxillary complete denture can be accomplished by using tissue-conditioning material, which provides sufficient working time for a patient to pronounce a series of sibilant sounds while recording dynamic impression of the tongue. This article describes a technique of obtaining palatogram and customizing palatal contours of a maxillary complete denture with autopolymerizing acrylic resin to improve the intelligibility of speech.

Hospital readmissions: patient, carer and clinician views.

AIM: To explore patients, carers, and clinician views and identify factors, which affect the likelihood of hospital readmission. Methods A cross sectional retrospective study of adult medical patients readmitted to hospital within 28 days of discharge. Medical and nursing records were reviewed and patients and their carers were interviewed regarding their views about their discharge and readmission. Data were collected regarding demographic, social and medical profiles. Results Seventy-seven patients were readmitted over a five-week period out of 1289 patients discharged during the previous five weeks, representing a 6% readmission rate. Mean (SD) age of readmitted patients was 71.3 (14.6) years. Forty patients (51.9%) were aged =75 and 39 (50.6%) were males. Mean (SD) number of comorbidities was 3.68 (1.82). Mean (SD) number of medications was 7.79 (4.14). Most common reasons for readmission were exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute coronary syndrome. Mean (SD) time to readmission was 11.6 (8.2) days. Fifty (64.9%) patients were readmitted within 14 days of discharge. Forty eight (62.3%) patients were readmitted with the same medical condition as their previous discharge. Fifty (64.9%) patients and 45 (66.2%) carers felt that discharge was appropriate. Forty five (58.0%) patients and 44 (57.0%) carers thought that readmission was unavoidable. Clinicians considered 56 (72.7%) discharges appropriate and 55 (71.5%) readmissions unavoidable. A trend towards higher readmission rate among patients = 75 years was noted (7.2% vs 5.1%, p=0.1). Conclusion Although the majority of discharges are appropriate, up to a third of readmissions may be avoidable in the views of carers, patients and clinicians. Patients and carers should be consulted regarding readiness for discharge before leaving hospital.

Comparison of caudal tramadol vs bupivacaine for post-operative analgesia in children undergoing hypospadias surgery.

In a prospective double-blind study, 40 children scheduled for hypospadias repair were allocated randomly to receive either caudal tramadol (1 mg/kg) or 0.25% plain bupivacaine (0.5 ml/kg). Postoperative pain score, side-effects and oxygen saturation (SaO2) were recorded during 24-hour observation period. The results point toward a significantly lower pain scores with caudal bupivacaine in the immediate postoperative period, whereas caudal tramadol caused a significantly lower pain score in the late postoperative period. Total consumption of rescue analgesics was significantly higher in bupivacaine group as compared to tramadol group during the study period (p < 0.001). The incidence of side-effects such as vomiting was more frequent with caudal tramadol, but there was no detectable difference in SaO2. We conclude that caudal tramadol can safely be used for postoperative analgesia with a longer duration as compared to caudal bupivacaine.

Legionnaires' disease in elderly people: the first sign of an outbreak in the community?

Legionella pneumophila is responsible for up to 5% of cases of community-acquired pneumonia and mainly affects people aged over 50 years. The confirmation of legionellosis in two elderly patients living close to each other prompted a search for other cases. A total of eleven subjects with legionnaires' disease was recognized. The clinical findings are described and the diagnosis of legionellosis is discussed. Environmental investigations pointed to a cooling tower in the local town centre as the probable source of infection.