BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Myeloproliferative disorders are characterized by symptoms that can potentially impair the quality of life of our Filipino patients. The Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Symptom Assessment Form-Total Symptom Score (MPN-SAF TSS) is used to determine symptoms at baseline and during treatment. A validated Filipino version of this questionnaire would be a helpful tool in assessing the burden of symptoms of Filipino patients with MPN. Understanding the symptom burden and symptom experience of patients with MPN is needed in developing a comprehensive wholistic management plan that addresses the physical and emotional aspects of a chronic disease such as MPN. This study aimed to translate the MPN-SAF TSS to the Filipino language.

METHODS

Translation, validation, and reliability testing of the MPN-SAF TSS was done following the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) guidelines for linguistic translation and validation.

RESULTS

No major discrepancies were found on forward and backward translation of the MPN-SAF TSS tool. The 0-10 scoring scale (where 0 = absent/as good as it can be and 10 = worst imaginable/daily/as bad as it can be) was deemed appropriate and was retained. Content and face validity as evaluated by Filipino hematologists showed that majority of the translated questions were relevant. Some words were further improved according to their valid recommendations. Ten MPN patients voluntarily answered the updated Filipino version of the questionnaire for face validity and cognitive debriefing was done to further refine the translation according to the patient’s perspective. The back translation was identical to the original versions of MPN-SAF TSS.

Validity and reliability testing of the revised and translated MPN-SAF TSS among 30 patients with MPN demonstrated that the MPN-SAF TSS Filipino version was conceptually equivalent with the English version, with good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha=0.89); excellent reliability with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.98 and convergent validity of r=0.77. 

CONCLUSION

The Filipino version of the MPN-SAF TSS was demonstrated to be a valid and reliable tool in evaluating the symptom burden of Filipino patients with MPN.

Human ; Translations

BACKGROUND

The National Cochlear Implant Program (NCIP) is a national program to address the increasing prevalence of hearing loss, especially in the pediatric population here in the Philippines. In its pilot implementation, it included three tertiary hospitals to represent Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao and was able to enroll 20 patients who successfully underwent cochlear implantation.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to evaluate the auditory outcomes of the patients who underwent cochlear implantation under the NCIP using the Parents' Evaluation of Aural/Oral Performance of Children (PEACH) Questionnaire and Categories of Auditory Performance (CAP) score questionnaire.

METHODS

The study included all recipients of the cochlear implants, under NCIP from December 2019 to December 2021, except 1 with incomplete data during the course of his followup. The outcomes measured included the PEACH Questionnaire score and CAP Questionnaire score and were compared on various factors which included patient's sex and age, parents'  socioeconomic status, duration of hearing aid use prior to CI, pre CI imaging findings and CI electrode placement using nonparametric statistical tests .

RESULTS

The mean PEACH score of the 19 patients was 53.59% ± 12.76% (range: 30% - 75%) while the mean CAP score was 3.16 ± 1.04 (range: 1 - 4.3). Parents of the included patients who have a higher educational background and those in which the electrode was located on the ideal location, scala tympani, have a statistically significant higher PEACH score (p-value of 0.017 and 0.012, respectively). In comparing the CAP scores, those who have unremarkable or normal preoperative imaging have a statistically significant higher score (p-value 0.013)

CONCLUSION

Patients who had normal preoperative imaging, proper placement of electrodes and those patients with parents belonging to a higher educational background had statistically significant better auditory outcomes after cochlear implantation. Patients who had the cochlear implantation before 36 months of age and hearing aid use of 7 to 18 months prior to cochlear implantation had higher PEACH and CAP scores, however these were not statistically significant. Further studies with a larger sample size is recommended.

Cochlear Implantation

Background: The National Cochlear Implant Program (NCIP) is a national program to address the increasing prevalence of hearing loss, especially in the pediatric population here in the Philippines. In its pilot implementation, it included three tertiary hospitals to represent Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao and was able to enroll 20 patients who successfully underwent cochlear implantation. Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the auditory outcomes of the patients who underwent cochlear implantation under the NCIP using the Parents' Evaluation of Aural/Oral Performance of Children (PEACH) Questionnaire and Categories of Auditory Performance (CAP) score questionnaire. Methods: The study included all recipients of the cochlear implants, under NCIP from December 2019 to December 2021, except 1 with incomplete data during the course of his followup. The outcomes measured included the PEACH Questionnaire score and CAP Questionnaire score and were compared on various factors which included patient's sex and age, parents' socioeconomic status, duration of hearing aid use prior to CI, pre CI imaging findings and CI electrode placement using nonparametric statistical tests. Results: The mean PEACH score of the 19 patients was 53.59% ± 12.76% (range: 30% - 75%) while the mean CAP score was 3.16 ± 1.04 (range: 1 - 4.3). Parents of the included patients who have a higher educational background and those in which the electrode was located on the ideal location, scala tympani, have a statistically significant higher PEACH score (p-value of 0.017 and 0.012, respectively). In comparing the CAP scores, those who have unremarkable or normal preoperative imaging have a statistically significant higher score (p-value 0.013). Conclusion Patients who had normal preoperative imaging, proper placement of electrodes and those patients with parents belonging to a higher educational background had statistically significant better auditory outcomes after cochlear implantation. Patients who had the cochlear implantation before 36 months of age and hearing aid use of 7 to 18 months prior to cochlear implantation had higher PEACH and CAP scores, however these were not statistically significant. Further studies with a larger sample size is recommended.
cochlear implantation

Objective: To investigate the distribution and aerosolized particle counts generated during mastoidectomy, we utilized low-cost and locally available material and developed a plastic tent creating a barrier between the health care workers (HCW) and patient. Methods: The barrier tent is a clear plastic bag attached to the microscope lens. The tent is draped and tucked underneath the patient’s head and upper torso with surgeon’s arms also passed underneath and secured with clamps. We demonstrated the area of greater contamination by spread of droplet particles and bone dust after drilling using fluorescent dye. Particle counts inside and outside the barrier was determined and then comparison with and without the tent after drilling of cadaveric temporal bone were also done. Results: The area with highest concentration of contamination (“hot zone”) was noted opposite the surgeon’s hand drill which is dependent on the operator’s handedness. Other hot zones noted were opposite the operator and on the operator’s side. Particle determination of aerosol size 0.3 and 2.5µm inside the barrier tent were at peak levels after bone drilling procedure. Then a significant drop of particle counts was noted at 2 minutes after drilling was stopped with flattening observed at 8 minutes. Conclusion Our experimental results suggest that the improvised barrier tent can be effective in mitigating aerosols generated during mastoid surgery and may serve as an added protection for the operating room team.
SARS-CoV-2 ; Mastoid ; COVID-19

The surgical management in a case of vaginal agenesis is technically challenging and requires a strong demand for expertise. The objective of this report was to record the hospital's first experience in vaginal reconstruction using Bilateral Pudendal Thigh Fasciocutaneous Flap. Presented here is a case of 23-year old, female who consulted for primary amenorrhea who plans of getting married soon. Physical examination revealed normal secondary sexual characteristics with absent vagina. Imaging revealed an absent uterus with normal ovaries and distal vagina that ends in a blind pouch. Patient underwent vaginal reconstruction with no post-operative complications. Follow-up revealed incision site infection but eventually resolved with oral and topical antibiotics. Four weeks post-operatively, good wound healing was noted, vagina was 6 centimeters in length, admits two fingers on internal examination. Overall, the authors' first neovaginoplasty using Bilateral Pudendal Thigh Fasciocutaneous Flap was a technically safe procedure with good cosmetic outcome.

Surgical Flaps ; Vagina

Placenta accreta syndrome (PAS) is rare in first-trimester abortions with an unscarred uterus. It is this rarity that makes diagnosis and management difficult and challenging. This is a case report of a multigravid with an early incomplete abortion complicated by PAS (placenta increta) manifesting as an ill-defined hypervascular uterine cavity mass on transvaginal ultrasound, with decreasing trends of serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin. PAS was successfully diagnosed preoperatively, and an uneventful hysterectomy was performed. A curettage that could potentially lead to catastrophic hemorrhage was prevented. This case highlights the diagnostic dilemma in early trimester PAS, the importance of early accurate diagnosis, and a good correlation with ancillary diagnostics to provide prompt and appropriate management.
Pregnancy ; Placenta Accreta ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color

Objective: To compare subjective nasal airflow and overall pain score (as well as safety and added cost of) using an improvised nasal airway tube (nasogastric tube) versus nasal packing after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP). Methods: Design: Quasi - Experimental Prospective Cohort Study Setting: Tertiary Government Training Hospital Participants: Twenty-six (26) consecutive patients aged 18 to 77 years old diagnosed with CRSwNP who underwent ESS were alternately assigned to an experimental group (A) of 13, where an improvised nasal airway (nasogastric) tube was placed in addition to the nasal pack or a control group (B) of 13 with nasal packing alone. Results: There was a significant difference in subjective nasal airflow between experimental (A) and control (B) groups during the immediate postoperative period where the mean subjective airflow was 8.07 and 0.00 over 10.00, respectively. No significant difference was noted between the groups in terms of age, gender, severity of polyposis and overall pain score. No complications such as bleeding, Toxic Shock Syndrome, vestibular or alar injury and septal necrosis were noted immediately post-op and after one week follow-up in both groups. An approximate cost of PhP 25 was added to group A. Conclusion: An improvised nasal airway using a nasogastric tube provides adequate airflow without additional pain in the immediate postoperative period. It is safe to use and an affordable option for patients in need of nasal airway stents residing in areas where a preformed nasal packing with incorporated tube stent is not available.
stents ; nasal obstruction ; nasal polyps ; sinusitis

Objective: To report successful marsupialization of a large Tornwaldt cyst using combined transnasal and transoral endoscopic surgery in a 7-year-old girl who presented with nasal obstruction. Methods: Design: Case Report Setting: Tertiary Government Training Hospital Patient: One Result: A 7-year-old girl presented with an 11-month history of recurrent yellowish nasal discharge gradually associated with nasal obstruction. Examination revealed a large, well encapsulated, broad-based cystic mass in the nasopharynx immediately adjacent to the posterior choanae, continuing posterior to the soft palate (pushing the uvula anteriorly) and extending inferiorly to the epiglottic area. Computerized Tomography (CT) demonstrated a well-circumscribed, midline hypodense mass with fluid attenuation obstructing the nasopharyngeal area extending inferiorly to the oropharyngeal area. Endoscopic marsupialization via transnasal and transoral approach was successful, and a respiratory epithelium-lined cyst consistent with a Tornwaldt cyst was confirmed by histopathologic examination Conclusion: Combined transnasal and transoral endoscopic marsupialization is possible a for a large symptomatic Tornwaldt cyst in a pediatric patient with relatively smaller and complex nasal cavities.
endoscopy ; cyst ; Nasopharynx ;

The growing problem of child sexual abuse (CSA) in the country has led the government to establish a set of standards for the delivery of hospital-based services to the survivors, in order to ensure that their needs are addressed promptly and effectively. Hence, the establishment of Women and Children Protection Units (WCPU) in all Department of Health (DOH) hospitals was mandated through a department administrative order.1 However, many WCPUs across the country are beset with problems such as inadequate facilities and equipment, and a scarcity of full-time service providers with proper training to handle survivors of CSA.2 These problems impede the delivery of optimal services required in managing clients in the WCPU.
Child Abuse, Sexual ; Survivor ; Child ; Female

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the timing of tracheostomy and relationship to outcomes (length of hospital stay, length of mechanical ventilation, morbidity and mortality rate) in adults with moderate and severe tetanus. 

METHODS:

            Design:           Cross-Sectional Study

            Setting:           Tertiary Government Training Hospital

            Patients:         All adult patients (19 years old and above) diagnosed with moderate and    severe stage tetanus from January 2015 to January 2018 were considered for inclusion.

RESULTS: There were 109 patients included in this study, majority were males (n=95) with a male to female ratio of 7:1. Most belonged to the 51-60 years age group (mean: 53.7 SD: +/-16.1). Based on Cole Tetanus staging, the majority presented with severe stage tetanus (67.9%; n=74). Only 35.8% (n=39) were admitted at the Intensive Care Unit. Early tracheostomy was performed in 56.0% (n=61) of the patients (mean 6.3 hours SD: +/- 4.61). Mortality rate was noted to be 52.3% (n=57). Overall, early tracheostomy among moderate to severe stage tetanus patients showed shorter length of hospital stay and length of mechanical ventilation than  late tracheostomy (tracheostomy >24 hours) (p-value < .05). However, no significant difference was noted for timing of tracheostomy in terms of morbidity and mortality rate (p-value > .05).

CONCLUSION: Early tracheostomy within less than 24 hours from time of admission for moderate and severe tetanus is associated with shorter length of hospital stay and mechanical ventilation than late tracheostomy, and may play a role in tetanus management.

KEYWORDS: tracheostomy; tetanus; hospital stay; mechanical ventilation; morbidity; mortality

Human ; Male ; Female ; Aged 80 And Over ; Aged (a Person 65 Through 79 Years Of Age) ; Middle Aged (a Person 45-64 Years Of Age) ; Tetanus ; Length Of Stay ; Morbidity ; Mortality