Effects of throat packs during orthognathic surgery: a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial.

Throat packs are commonly used in maxillofacial surgeries. However, the evidence to support the benefits of their use is controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of throat packs in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting, and their influence on the incidence of sore throat and dysphagia in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery. This was a prospective double-blind randomized study with 54 patients, who were randomized to two groups: with throat pack (n=27) and without throat pack (n=27). Fifty patients (25 in each group) were included in the analysis; 66% female and 34% male, mean age 29.44±8.53 years. Postoperative nausea and vomiting (Kortilla scale), sore throat (visual analogue scale), and dysphagia were evaluated. Statistically significant differences in favour of the without-pack group were found for the variables throat pain at 24hours (P=0.002) and dysphagia at 2 hours (P=0.007) and 24 hours (P<0.001). There was no difference between the groups regarding postoperative nausea and vomiting (P=1.00). The results of this study indicate that throat packs as utilized here do not prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting and are associated with worse sore throats and postoperative dysphagia.

Performance of free-range chickens reared in production modules enriched with shade net and perches

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of environmental enrichment in a free-range chicken production system on live performance as a function of microclimate, physiological parameters, and performance parameters. Four production modules were divided into four pens with 10 birds each, totaling 60 birds. The following treatments were applied: access to a paddock (TEST), access to a paddock with perches (PER), access to a paddock with artificial shade (SHA), and access to the paddock with perches and artificial shade (PESH). The PESH production module presented the best globe temperature (Tbg,ºC) and enthalpy (h, kJ/kg), and thereby, the best thermal environmental conditions, which ensured the longest permanence time of the birds in the paddock. The SHA and PESH modules promoted the lowest respiratory rate and shank and comb temperatures. Live performance was influenced by the presence of environmental enrichment (modules SHA and PESH), with the highest live weight (LW) and weight gain (WG) and the lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) and metabolizable energy intake (MEI). Parts yield, such as giblets, were not influenced by production modules, except for PESH, which promoted higher offal weight. In general, chickens reared in enriched production modules presented greatest performance and comfort results and were considered close to optimal rearing conditions.(AU)

[The course of preparation for birth--the mother's opinion about its contribution to the performance of the delivery]. / Curso de preparação ao parto--opinião de mães quanto a contribuição no desempenho do parto.

A sample of 45 mothers of normal delivery that realized "Preparation Course for Childbirth" in the Public Health Nursing Service of Hospital of Clínicas of Porto Alegre, was studied. The objective of this study is to know the opinion the mothers about Corse contribution in the performance of delivery.

[The integration of teaching and care in a teaching institution and in a teaching hospital of Porto Alegre: the experience of a working group]. / Integração docente-assistencial entre uma instituição de ensino e um hospital de ensino de Porto Alegre: experiência de um grupo de trabalho.

This study presents the first stage of the work developed by teachers from The School of Nursing of Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul and nurses from Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre in order to elaborate a Project for Teaching-Assistance Integration. The authors explain their experience in a professional group, the methodology used as well the diagnostic of the reality in those Institutions related to teaching, assistance, research and administration.