The accuracy of different methods for diagnosing septal deviation in patients undergoing septorhinoplasty: A prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of different diagnostic tests in predicting nasal septum deformities during preoperative planning for septorhinoplasty. METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent septorhinoplasty between June 2011 and August 2012 were included (n = 30) and underwent a protocol of diagnostic tests, including nasal speculoscopy, craniofacial computed tomography (CT), three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the nasal septum by CT and nasal endoscopy. A modified Guyuron classification of septal deformities was used for classifying the septal deviations. Direct surgical assessment of the nasal septum during open septorhinoplasty was the reference standard with which each of the diagnostic tests was compared. Sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of each test were calculated. RESULTS: The preoperative diagnosis was nasal bone fracture in 11 patients, nasal septal fracture in 15 and post-traumatic nasal deformity in four. For type A deviations (localised), craniofacial CT showed the highest performance with a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 100% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 99%. For type B septal deformations (C shape), nasal endoscopy (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 87.5%; PPV, 87.7%; and NPV, 100%) showed the highest performance. For type C deformities (S shape), nasal endoscopy (sensitivity, 70%; specificity, 100%; PPV, 100%; and NPV, 87%) showed the highest performance. The accuracy for nasal endoscopy was 27/30 (90%), 26/30 (87%) for craniofacial CT, 22/30 (73%) for 3D reconstruction and 10/28 (36%) for speculoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Nasal endoscopy and craniofacial CT were more accurate and precise than nasal speculoscopy and 3D reconstruction for preoperative evaluation of the nasal septum, thus enabling more appropriate surgical planning for septorhinoplasty.

Suction-assisted lipectomy fails to improve cardiovascular metabolic markers of disease: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine whether suction-assisted lipectomy (SAL) decreases the incidence of early cardiovascular disease risk factors or its biochemical and clinical risk indicators. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed by conducting a predefined, sensitive search in MEDLINE without limiting the year of publication or language. The extracted data included the basal characteristics of the patients, the surgical technique, the amount of fat extracted, the cardiovascular risk factors and the biochemical and clinical markers monitored over time. The data were analysed using pooled curves, risk ratios and standardised means with meta-analytical techniques. RESULTS: Fifteen studies were identified involving 357 patients. In all of the studies, measurements of predefined variables were recorded before and after the SAL procedure. The median follow-up was 3 months (interquartile range (IQR) 1-6, range 0.5-10.5). The mean amount of extracted fat ranged from 2063 to 16,300 ml, with a mean ± standard deviation (SD) of 6138 ± 4735 ml. After adjusting for time and body mass index (BMI), leptin and fasting insulin were the only markers that were significantly associated with the amount of aspirated fat. No associations were observed for high sensitive C-reactive protein (hCRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), adiponectin, resistin, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Homeostasis Model of Assessment (HOMA), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides, free fatty acids or systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of our analysis, we conclude that there is no evidence to support the hypothesis that subcutaneous fat removal reduces early cardiovascular or metabolic disease, its markers or its risk factors.

Loxoscelismo cutáneo: revisión narrativa de un problema actual / Cutaneous loxoscelism: narrative review of a current problem

The endemic presence of Loxosceles laeta species in Chile determines a constant validity of loxoscelism in clinical practice. Among their clinical scope, cutaneous loxoscelismis the most common presentation and it usually requires surgical management. The objective of this article is to review basic knowledge, epidemiologic data, clinical and therapeutic knowledge and advances in this disease based on the available evidence. Evidence does not support the routinary use of any pharmacological agent in cutaneous loxoscelism. General therapeutic measures, adequate analgesia, the delimitation of thedermonecrotic area and in cases if needed a conservative surgical approach are recommended. The use of antibiotics should be restricted to cases of concomitant infection. Emphasis should be on prevention of these injuries, stressing the importance of early consultation in the emergency service, and monitoring for signs and symptoms of the systemic compromise. A conservative surgical approach minimizes unnecessary morbidity.

[Delirium in Chilean elderly inpatients: an overlooked problem]. / Subdiagnóstico de delirium en adultos mayores hospitalizados.

BACKGROUND: Delirium is a common underdiagnosed and undertreated problem in elderly inpatients, associated to higher morbidity, mortality and health cost. AIM: To evaluate the prevalence of delirium at hospital admission in medically ill elderly patients and the attending physician's diagnosis and treatment of delirium. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a prospective and descriptive study, consecutive patients aged 65 years or more, admitted to an internal medicine ward were evaluated by independent physicians, during the first 48 h of admission, to asses the presence of delirium. Diagnosis of delirium was based on the Confusion Assessment Method. Medical and nurse records were reviewed. Family was interviewed when necessary. RESULTS: One hundred eight patients (52% women, age range 65-94 years) with an APACHE II score of 11.6+/-5, were evaluated. Fifty seven patients (53%) had delirium (32% hyperactive, 72% hypoactive and 5% mixed). Delirium prevalence was significantly higher in older patients (66% among those aged 75 years or older versus 30% in younger, p <0.05) and among patients with more severe conditions (88% among those with an APACHE score over 16 versus 47% below that value, p <0.05). Medical records of patients with delirium showed that this diagnosis was present only in 32% and cognitive deficit was described in 73%. Ten percent of patients with delirium received sedative medication and 38% were physically restricted. There were no environmental interventions to prevent or control delirium. CONCLUSIONS: Delirium in elderly inpatients at this unit is an extraordinarily prevalent problem, seriously under diagnosed (68%) and under treated. This study should alerts our medical community to improve the diagnosis and management of delirium in elderly inpatients.