Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of reduced bed capacity in the intensive care unit (ICU) on emergency department (ED) length of stay (LOS) and prognosis of critically ill patients. Methods: This retrospective observational study included patients who presented to a university hospital ED and were admitted to the ICU between August 2017 and July 2019. In our center, the number of beds in the traumatic ICU was maintained, while the number of beds in the non-traumatic ICU was reduced. We comparatively assessed ED LOS and the mortality rate between traumatic and non-traumatic patients over 2 years (1 year before and after the reduced number of beds in the non-traumatic ICU) to determine the impact of reduced ICU bed capacity. Also, a multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors related to in-hospital mortality. Results: A total of 2,945 patients were included in this study. In the traumatic ICU patient group, the ED LOS did not change (2.62 [1.95-3.72] hours vs. 2.78 [2.01-3.92] hours, P=0.079) after reducing the number of ICU beds; and no significant difference in mortality rate was noted (19.5% vs. 17.6%, P=0.417). In the non-traumatic ICU patient group, both ED LOS (prolonged by 1.69 hours, 3.46 [2.17-5.66] hours vs. 5.15 [3.43-8.37] hours, P<0.001) and mortality rate (21.6% vs. 25.8%, P=0.003) were significantly increased after reducing the number of ICU beds. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, ED LOS was identified as a risk factor for in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 1.035; P<0.001). Conclusion In this study, the reduced ICU bed capacity resulted in prolonged ED LOS of critically ill patients, which consequently contributed to increased in-hospital mortality.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of reduced bed capacity in the intensive care unit (ICU) on emergency department (ED) length of stay (LOS) and prognosis of critically ill patients. Methods: This retrospective observational study included patients who presented to a university hospital ED and were admitted to the ICU between August 2017 and July 2019. In our center, the number of beds in the traumatic ICU was maintained, while the number of beds in the non-traumatic ICU was reduced. We comparatively assessed ED LOS and the mortality rate between traumatic and non-traumatic patients over 2 years (1 year before and after the reduced number of beds in the non-traumatic ICU) to determine the impact of reduced ICU bed capacity. Also, a multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors related to in-hospital mortality. Results: A total of 2,945 patients were included in this study. In the traumatic ICU patient group, the ED LOS did not change (2.62 [1.95-3.72] hours vs. 2.78 [2.01-3.92] hours, P=0.079) after reducing the number of ICU beds; and no significant difference in mortality rate was noted (19.5% vs. 17.6%, P=0.417). In the non-traumatic ICU patient group, both ED LOS (prolonged by 1.69 hours, 3.46 [2.17-5.66] hours vs. 5.15 [3.43-8.37] hours, P<0.001) and mortality rate (21.6% vs. 25.8%, P=0.003) were significantly increased after reducing the number of ICU beds. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, ED LOS was identified as a risk factor for in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 1.035; P<0.001). Conclusion In this study, the reduced ICU bed capacity resulted in prolonged ED LOS of critically ill patients, which consequently contributed to increased in-hospital mortality.

PURPOSE: To assess the usefulness of rectal filling using ultrasonographic gel in patients with lower rectal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty five patients with lower rectal cancer were enrolled. High resolution pelvic MR was performed twice before and after gel filling. Independently and retrospectively, two radiologists reviewed each set of MR images using five-grade scales for sphincter involvement, CRM (circumferential resection margin) involvement and depiction of the tumor. Same two radiologists retrospectively performed consensus review of each set of MR images for tumor distance from the anal verge and T&N staging. RESULTS: Tumor depiction scores from MR with gel filling were significantly higher than those of MR without distention (p<0.001). Compared to MR without distension, MR with gel filling had no significant differences in prediction of CRM or sphincter involvement (p>0.05). Distance from the anal verge was significantly different between MR with gel filling and rigid endoscopy (6.8 +/- 1.6 cm vs. 5.8 +/- 1.6 cm, p=0.001). There were no significant differences between pathological staging and MR staging with or without gel filling. CONCLUSION: MR with gel filling improved tumor depiction. And also MR with gel filling revealed same ability for the predictions of CRM or sphincter invasion in patients with lower rectal cancer, comparing with MR without gel filling.
Consensus ; Endoscopy ; Humans ; Rectal Neoplasms* ; Rectum ; Retrospective Studies ; Weights and Measures

Two cases are herein reported involving patients with ectopic gallstones which were discharged into the stomach and duodenum through a cholecystoduodenal fistula and successfully removed by endoscopic therapy. In the first case, a 75-year-old man was admitted with epigastric pain. Simple abdomen film demonstrated a round laminated calcification and air biliarygram in the RUQ. Endoscopic examination revealed a fistula on the posterior wall of the duodenal bulb and a brown stone (about 5 cm in diameter) was found in the second portion of the duodenum, It was demolished through endoscopic electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EEH1) and discharged with the stool. In the second case, a 55-year-old man was admitted with epigastric pain. A CT scan revealed an ovoid laminated calcification in the dependent portion of the stomach. Endoscopic examination revealed a fistula on the anterior wa11 of' the duodenal bulb and a black pigmented stone (about 2.5 cm in diameter) was found in the stomach. This stone was removed orally by an endoscopic snare. These patients were discharged and remained asymptomatic.
Abdomen ; Aged ; Duodenum ; Fistula ; Gallstones* ; Humans ; Intestinal Fistula ; Lithotripsy ; Middle Aged ; SNARE Proteins ; Stomach ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed