BACKGROUNDEurythmy therapy is a movement therapy of anthroposophic medicine that can have effects on a person's physical body, spirit, and soul.

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this publication was to update and summarize the relevant literature on the effectiveness of eurythmy in a therapeutic context since 2008.

SEARCH STRATEGYDifferent databases like PubMed, MEDPILOT, Research Gate, The Cochrane Library, DIMDI, Arthe and also the journal databases Der Merkurstab and the European Journal of Integrative Medicine were searched for prospective and retrospective clinical trials in German or English language.

INCLUSION CRITERIAThere were no limitations for indication, considered outcome or age of participants.

DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSISStudies were evaluated with regard to their description of the assembly process and treatment, adequate reporting of follow-ups, and equality of comparison groups in controlled trials.

RESULTSEleven studies met the inclusion criteria. These included two single-arm, non-controlled pilot studies, two publications on the same non-randomized controlled trial and one case study; six further studies referred to a prospective cohort study, the Anthroposophic Medicine Outcome Study. Most of these studies described positives treatment effects with varying effect sizes. The studies were heterogynous according to the indications, age groups, study design and measured outcome. The methodological quality of the studies varied considerably. There were no clear improvements since 2008, when the recommendations were published in the first review.

CONCLUSIONEurythmy seems to be a beneficial add-on in a therapeutic context that can improve the health conditions of affected persons. More methodologically sound studies are needed to substantiate this positive impression.

Arthroscopy ; Behavior Therapy ; methods ; Exercise Therapy ; methods ; Humans ; Postoperative Care ; methods

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) has been widely used in perioperative optimization. As an important component of ERAS, rehabilitation medicine mainly focuses on perioperative physical fitness management, respiratory training, exercise training to reduce the incidence of postoperative pulmonary infection, improve gastrointestinal and cardiopulmonary function. This paper explains rehabilitation medicine for respiratory, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and digestive systems during the perioperative period.
Humans ; Perioperative Care ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Postoperative Period ; Rehabilitation ; methods ; standards

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) tend to have more severe clinical course and also tend to be recalcitrant to conventional medical and surgical treatment. This study aimed to assess the long-term outcome of endoscopic sinus surgery in AERD patients. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Fifteen patients with AERD (n=15) were identified through a retro-spective chart review, and compared with 74 patients of CRSwNP (with asthma n=23; without asthma n=51) by analyzing preoperative and postoperative symptoms, endoscopic score, Lund-Mackay CT score, number of revision surgery or outpatient procedures, frequency of clinic visits and medications. The CRS control status was evaluated according to the European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2012 criteria and logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate the determining factors of preoperative and postoperative symptoms. RESULTS: The AERD group showed higher disease severity than other groups preoperatively: endoscopic score (CRSwNP s asthma 6.3±2.6 vs. CRSwNP c asthma 6.5±2.3 vs. AERD 8.8±1.4, p<0.05), CT score (12.2±4.9 vs. 17.0±4.8 vs. 18.0±2.1, p<0.05), and overall symptom score (30.8±0.4 vs. 33.8±1.5 vs. 37.9±0.7, p<0.01). The rate of revision surgery and outpatient procedures, postoperative clinic visit and prescription rate were higher in the AERD group (p<0.05, respectively). However, postoperative symptom scores and CRS control status were not significantly different among three groups (p=0.267 and p=0.996, respectively). CONCLUSION: Although AERD patients showed higher preoperative endoscopic scores and revision surgery rates, postoperative subjective symptoms were comparable to those of other groups with long-term follow up, suggesting the importance of frequent outpatient care after endoscopic sinus surgery.
Ambulatory Care ; Asthma ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Methods ; Nasal Polyps ; Outpatients ; Postoperative Care ; Prescriptions

PURPOSE: Substantial evidence supports the benefits of an intensivist model of critical care delivery. However, currently, this mode of critical care delivery has not been widely adopted in Korea. We hypothesized that intensivist-led critical care is feasible and would improve ICU mortality after major trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A trauma registry from May 2009 to April 2011 was reviewed retrospectively. We evaluated the relationship between modes of ICU care (open vs. intensivist) and in-hospital mortality following severe injury [Injury Severity Score (ISS) >15]. An intensivist-model was defined as ICU care delivered by a board-certified physician who had no other clinical responsibilities outside the ICU and who is primarily available to the critically ill or injured patients. ISS and Revised Trauma Score were used as measure of injury severity. The Trauma and Injury Severity Score methodology was used to calculate each individual patient's probability of survival. RESULTS: Of the 251 patients, 57 patients were treated by an intensivist [intensivist group (IG)] while 194 patients were not [non-intensivist group (NIG)]. The ISS of IG was significantly higher than that for NIG (26.5 vs. 22.3, p=0.023). The hospital mortality rate for IG was significantly lower than that for NIG (15.8% and 27.8%, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The intensivist model of critical care is feasible, and there is room for improvement in the care of major trauma patients. Although trauma systems take time to mature, future studies are needed to evaluate the best model of critical care delivery for severely injured patients in Korea.
Adult ; Aged ; Critical Care/*methods ; Female ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Intensive Care/*methods ; *Intensive Care Units ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Models, Theoretical ; Postoperative Care/methods ; *Specialization ; Trauma Centers

A purely laparoscopic four-port approach was created for left hepatectomy in pigs. A polyethylene loop was placed on the left two hepatic lobes for traction and lift. Next, penetrating ligation of the lobes using of a double row of silk sutures was performed to control bleeding. A direct hepatic transection was completed using a monopolar hook electrode without meticulous dissection of the left hepatic vein. The raw surface of the liver was coagulated and sealed with fibrin glue. Lobes were retrieved through an enlarged portal. Laparoscopic hepatic lobectomy was completed in all pigs without the use of specialized instruments and with a mean operative time of 179 +/- 9 min. No significant perioperative complications were observed. The average weight of each resected lobe was 180 +/- 51 g. Complete blood count as well as serum organics and enzyme levels normalized after about 2 weeks. During necropsy, adhesion of the hepatic raw surface to the gastric wall and omentum were observed. No other abnormalities were identified. This minimally invasive left hepatectomy technique in swine could serve as a useful model for investigating liver diseases and regeneration, and offer preclinical information to improve hepatobiliary surgical procedures.
Animals ; Female ; Hepatectomy/methods/*veterinary ; Laparoscopy/methods/veterinary ; Liver/surgery ; Male ; Postoperative Care/methods/veterinary ; Swine/*surgery ; Swine, Miniature/surgery

INTRODUCTIONThe efficiency of postoperative handover of paediatric patients to the children's intensive care unit (CICU) varies according to institutions, clinical setup and workflow. Reorganisation of handover flow based on findings from observational studies has been shown to improve the efficiency of information transfer. This study aimed to evaluate a new handover process based on recipients' perceptions, focusing on completeness and comprehensiveness of verbal communication, and the usability of a situation, background, assessment and recommendation (SBAR) form.

METHODSThis was a prospective interventional study conducted in the CICU of KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore. It comprised four phases: (1) evaluation of the current handover process through an audit and opinion survey; (2) development of a new handover process based on the opinion survey and hospital personnel feedback; (3) implementation; and (4) evaluation of the new handover process. The new handover process was based on a PETS (pre-handover, equipment handover, timeout and sign out) protocol with a 'single traffic communication' flow and a new SBAR handover document. It included relevant patient information, and the options 'not applicable' and 'none', to increase compliance and reduce ambiguity.

RESULTSSignificantly more recipients indicated that the new SBAR form was the most important handover tool and provided more useful information. Recipients' perceptions indicated improvement in information sufficiency and clarity; reduction of omission errors; and fewer inconsistencies in patient descriptions in the new process.

CONCLUSIONDual customisation of the handover process, PETS protocol and SBAR form is necessary to meet the workflow and information demands of the receiving team.

Anesthesia ; Attitude of Health Personnel ; Child ; Critical Care ; methods ; Hospitals, Pediatric ; organization & administration ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Medical Errors ; prevention & control ; Nurses ; Observational Studies as Topic ; Patient Handoff ; Pediatrics ; methods ; Postoperative Care ; methods ; Postoperative Period ; Prospective Studies ; Singapore ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo sum up our experience in percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) in ICU patient with severe brain injury.

METHODSBetween November 2011 and April 2014, PDTs were performed on 32 severe brain injury patients in ICU by a team of physicians and intensivists. The success rate, efficacy, safety, and complications including stomal infection and bleeding, paratracheal insertion, pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, tracheal laceration, as well as clinically significant tracheal stenosis were carefully monitored and recorded respectively.

RESULTSThe operations took 4-15 minutes (mean 9.1 minutes ± 4.2 minutes). Totally 4 cases suffered from complications in the operations: 3 cases of stomal bleeding, and 1 case of intratracheal bloody secretion, but none required intervention. Paratracheal insertion, pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, tracheal laceration, or clinically significant tracheal stenosis were not found in PDT patients. There was no procedure-related death occurring during or after PDT.

CONCLUSIONOur study demonstrats that PDT is a safe, highly effective, and minimally invasive procedure. The appropriate sedation and airway management perioperatively help to reduce complication rates. PDT should be performed or supervised by a team of physicians with extensive experience in this procedure, and also an intensivist with experience in difficult airway management.

Brain Injuries ; therapy ; Critical Care ; Humans ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications ; Tracheostomy ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of early oral feeding with enteral nutrition preparation after surgery on clinical outcomes in patients with gastric cancer.

METHODSSixty patients with gastric cancer undergoing radical operation between July 2010 and May 2011 were randomly divided into two groups using random digit table: experimental group(n=30, administration of water and enteral nutrition early after surgery) and control group(n=30, conventional postoperative care protocol). Clinical outcomes, immune function, and nutritional status between the two groups were compared.

RESULTSAs compared to the control group, duration of fever was significantly shorter in the experimental group [(81.1±6.4) h vs. (87.3±8.0) h, P<0.05], as were postoperative time of flatus [(79.9±9.5) h vs. (86.6±8.7) h, P<0.05] and postoperative hospital stay [(7.83±2.23) d vs. (9.57±1.96) d, P<0.01]. The medical cost [(30,220±3,220) RMB vs.(34,600±32,120) RMB, P<0.01] was lower than that in the control group. There was no significant difference in morbidity between the two groups[13.3%(4/30) vs. 16.7%(5/30), P>0.05]. The levels of CD3(+)T, CD4(+)T, NK cell, CD4(+)T/CD8(+)T, albumin, and prealbumin were higher in the experimental group as compared to the control group on postoperative day 3 and 7(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONEarly oral feeding with enteral nutrition preparation after surgery can improve the nutritional status and immune function, and accelerate the rehabilitation for patients with gastric cancer.

Aged ; Enteral Nutrition ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Care ; Stomach Neoplasms ; therapy

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Enterostomy ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Postoperative Care ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical outcome of total knee arthroplasty with or without wound drainage.

METHODSA comparative study involving 56 patients who were accepted primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty, divided into two groups. Group 1 included 27 patients with wound drainage; group 2 included 29 patients without any drainage. All operations were performed by a single surgeon, and all patients were recovered under the same programs. The mean blood loss, hidden blood loss, volume of transfusion, transfused rate of two groups were compared. Meanwhile, the clinical results of two groups, including pain, swelling, hematoma, infection, range of motion, deep venous thrombosis, and wound healing, were evaluated.

RESULTSThe average blood loss in group 1 was (1250 ± 487) ml, which was significantly higher than that of group 2, (932 ± 332) ml (t = 2.877, P = 0.006). The volume of transfusion was (933 ± 487) ml in group 1 compare to (510 ± 443) ml in group 2 (t = 3.406, P = 0.001). Blood transfusion was required in 88.9% of 27 patients managed with a drain compared with 62.1% of 29 managed without a drain (χ² = 5.364, P = 0.021). There was no statistical difference in the hidden blood loss, pain score, swelling, or the range of motion, or in the incidence of deep venous thrombosis, infection, hematoma, and wound problems.

CONCLUSIONSAccording to our study, the use of wound drainage provides no apparent advantages after total knee arthroplasty. The blood loss and the need for blood transfusion may decrease significantly in patients without wound drainage after total knee arthroplasty, meanwhile, there were no significant differences in other clinical results between two groups. However, large-scale randomized controlled clinical trials were needed to verify the conclusion.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; methods ; Drainage ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Care