Risk prioritization as a tool to Guide Veterinary Public Health activities at the regional level in Italy.

In this study we developed a model for risk prioritisation and characterisation focused on zoonoses and food safety for diseases of interest in veterinary public health at a regional level in Italy. A previous model (Discontools) based on scorecards was used as a basis to develop the new model. A Formalised Consensus Process approach involving academics and veterinary officers was used to develop scorecards and relative form and guidelines. Scorecards include several areas of interest, with different categories and coefficient of importance. The following areas were identified: relevance of the disease, socio-economic impact, impact on public health, impact on trade, impact on animal welfare, control tools. A guide and a form were finalised in order to fill scorecards. Scorecards were filled by consulting available data, literature, and expert opinions. Among bovine diseases, mastitis (Salmonella aureus) showed the highest score; Q fever was the highest among small ruminants; among swine diseases the highest was salmonellosis; while among other animal diseases, toxoplasmosis had the highest score. The approach described in this study is designed to aid professionals in risk prioritisation, decision-making, and to improve disease control systems at a regional level in Italy. It also facilitates risk characterisation in different backgrounds and the identification of data holes in specific areas of interest for the diseases considered. This approach is conceived to aid professionals in risk prioritization, decision-making and to improve disease control systems at a regional level. It also allows to perform risk characterization in different backgrounds and to identify lacks of data in specific areas of interest for the diseases considered.

Total hip arthroplasty performed with a tissue-preserving technique using superior capsulotomy.

PURPOSE: We present a minimally invasive tissue-sparing posterior superior (TSPS) approach that intends to protect the abductor muscles during total hip arthroplasty, prevents the release of the short rotator muscles, and provides the surgeon with the option to repair the posterior capsule. We hypothesized that the TSPS technique would produce a better clinical outcome, faster recovery, and lower complication rates, and that it would not jeopardize acetabular component position. METHODS: A retrospective, observational study was conducted in a consecutive series of patients. A cohort of 130 patients (130 hips) operated with a standard posterolateral approach were compared with a cohort of 132 patients (132 hips) operated with a TSPS approach. Patients were assessed with the Harris hip score (HHS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities index (WOMAC), which were carried out preoperatively, one month (HHS only), three months, one year, and at four years post-operatively. RESULTS: Compared with the standard group, patients in the TSPS group showed a faster return to ambulation as reflected in better post-operative HHS and WOMAC scores up until one year (p < 0.05). No significant differences in HHS (p = 0.564) and WOMAC (p = 0.796) scores were found at the four-year follow-up. No major adverse events were observed in either group. CONCLUSION: The TSPS approach yielded better early clinical outcomes and appears to be a safe and reliable technique. However, these early differences do not appear to be sustained over time, as comparable mid-term clinical outcomes with similar complications rates were observed.