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Hemoglobin patterns and anemia in forward‐planned intensity‐modulated radiotherapy versus three‐dimensional conformal radiotherapy among patients with breast cancer.

Sylvester Rio L. Abellana ; Maria Lourdes B. Lacanilao

Southern Philippines Medical Center Journal of Health Care Services.2022;8(1):1-8.

BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy (RT) to the chest or other large areas of the body may cause bone marrow suppression, resulting in anemia and other changes in blood cell counts. OBJECTIVE: To compare the postRT hemoglobin levels between patients who underwent forward planned intensitymodulated radiotherapy (FPIMRT) and those who underwent threedimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study SETTING: Department of Radiological and Imaging Sciences, Southern Philippines Medical Center, Davao City, from October 2018 to March 2019. PARTICIPANTS: 94 women with invasive ductal carcinoma, aged 29 to 75 years, who received at least 28 fractions (with or without boost dose) of either 3DCRT or FPIMRT. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mean hemoglobin counts and anemia within 4 weeks postRT. MAIN RESULTS: Of the 94 women, 62 (65.96%) underwent 3DCRT, and 32 (34.04%) underwent FPIMRT. The proportion of patients with leftsided tumors was significantly higher in the FPIMRT group than in the 3DCRT group. The baseline hemoglobin levels (12.60 ± 1.04 g/dL for 3DCRT vs 12.49 ± 0.80 g/dL for FPIMRT; p=0.5994) and the mean changes in hemoglobin count from baseline (0.11 ± 0.72 g/dL for 3DCRT vs 0.18 ± 0.67 g/dL for FPIMRT; p=0.6707) were both comparable between the two groups. The proportions of patients with anemia within four weeks postRT were also comparable between the two groups (13/62, 20.97% for 3DCRT vs 8/32, 25.00% for FPIMRT; p=0.6565). Leftsided tumors were significantly associated with postRT anemia (unadjusted OR 2.87; 95% CI 1.00 to 8.22; p=0.0498), even after controlling for type of RT technique (adjusted OR 3.15; 95% CI 1.01 to 9.87; p=0.0484). CONCLUSION After RT, the mean hemoglobin levels of patients with breast cancer who underwent 3DCRT were comparable with those of patients who underwent IMRT. The type of RT technique was not significantly associated with the occurrence of postRT anemia in these patients.

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Acute epiglottitis in a 47‐year‐old male: Case report.

Maria Irene Lourdes N. Tonog ; Johnny R. Perez

Southern Philippines Medical Center Journal of Health Care Services.2022;8(1):1-5.

Acute epiglottitis (AE), an inflammation of the epiglottis and adjacent supraglottic structures, can lead to a fatal airway obstruction. We report the case of a 47yearold male who developed AE after experiencing a sore throat, odynophagia, and highgrade fever for a week. The patient came in with late signs of AE, suggesting a poor prognosis. Laryngoscopy revealed a swollen epiglottis obstructing the patient’s tracheal opening. He had cardiopulmonary arrest due to the airway obstruction. The patient was successfully resuscitated but had several episodes of generalized seizure after the return of spontaneous circulation. He was discharged in a persistent vegetative state. Because AE is unusual in the adult population, a clinician's high index of suspicion for the diagnosis and the emergency team’s prompt intervention are crucial factors in the management approach to AE. Physicians working in the emergency room must be equipped with skills in establishing a definitive airway, especially in securing a surgical airway.
Epiglottitis ; Laryngoscopy ; Tracheostomy ;

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Improving access and efficiency in PhilHealth Konsulta: Policy notes

Christine May Perandos-Astudillo ; Rodel C. Roñ ; o

Southern Philippines Medical Center Journal of Health Care Services.2025;11(2):1-4.

Human ; Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest ; Heart Arrest ; Policy ; Covid-19 ; Pandemics

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Community-led approaches to strengthening primary health care delivery

Alvin S. Concha

Southern Philippines Medical Center Journal of Health Care Services.2025;11(2):1-2.

Human ; Delivery Of Health Care ; Primary Health Care

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Characteristics and outcomes of patients with colorectal cancer who underwent laparoscopic colorectal surgery: Descriptive study.

Kim Recoli S. delos Reyes ; Orlando F. Basilio Jr.

Southern Philippines Medical Center Journal of Health Care Services.2025;11(2):1-6.

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic surgery is a widely accepted treatment modality, but with few disadvantages.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the demographic, clinical, tumor, and operative characteristics of patients with colorectal cancer who underwent laparoscopic surgery.

DESIGN

Descriptive study.

PARTICIPANTS

47 males and 40 females, aged 19 years and older with colorectal cancer who underwent laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

SETTING

Surgery Department - Colorectal Surgery section, Southern Philippines Medical Center, Davao City, August 2014 to August 2018.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Demographic and clinical characteristics, tumor profile, and operative outcomes.

MAIN RESULTS

This study analyzed 87 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent laparoscopic colorectal surgery. The participants had a mean age of 56.55 ± 11.99 years, with a slight male predominance (54.02%). Most patients resided within Davao Province (72.41%) and commonly presented with comorbidities, particularly hypertension (22.99%). Tumors were mostly located in the rectum (62.07%), and the majority of patients had advanced disease, with 59.77% classified as stage IIIB. Advanced tumor invasion was common, with 60.92% of patients presenting with T3 and 32.18% with T4 disease, while lymph node involvement was observed in 75.86% of cases. Distant metastasis was present in 11.49% of patients, most frequently involving the liver. Low anterior resection was the most commonly performed procedure (39.08%). The mean operative time was 278.89 ± 72.76 minutes, with a mean blood loss of 476.73 ± 341.86 mL and a conversion-to-open rate of 23.26%. Postoperative outcomes showed a morbidity rate of 26.44% and a mortality rate of 3.45%, with patients resuming oral intake after a mean of 4.02 ± 2.17 days and a mean hospital stay of 8.35 ± 6.38 days.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic colorectal surgery at our institution was performed among middle-aged patients, mostly males. Rectal cancer was the most common diagnosis, with most patients presenting with advanced stage IIIB disease, and low anterior resection was the most frequently performed procedure. The mean operative time was 279 minutes, with a conversion-to-open rate of nearly 25%. The mean intraoperative blood loss was 476 mL. Oral intake was resumed after a mean of 4 days. The mean hospital stay was 8 days, with low mortality despite a moderate morbidity rate.