METHODOLOGY

A survey was conducted among 463 adults in Manila, achieving a valid response rate of 92.3% (427 responses analyzed). Participants represented diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. The survey explored perceptions regarding AAA of healthcare services for neurological emergencies.

RESULTS

Across income levels (poor, middle, rich), participants favored private hospitals for accessibility and convenience, such as emergency room access and prompt care. Private hospitals were also preferred for availability of diagnostic equipment, medications, specialist expertise and 24/7 care. Public hospitals, however, were preferred for affordability, particularly for emergency visits, medications, tests, neurologist consultations and ambulance services.

DISCUSSION

Findings reveal a clear preference split: private hospitals are valued for accessibility and resources, while public hospitals remain the affordable choice. This reflects ongoing systemic and socioeconomic challenges in Manila’s healthcare landscape.

CONCLUSION

The study provides actionable insights for policymakers and healthcare providers seeking to improve emergency neurological care. Addressing gaps in access and affordability can enhance patient outcomes and satisfaction while promoting more equitable healthcare delivery.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Adolescent: 13-18 Yrs Old ; Young Adult: 19-24 Yrs Old ; Adult: 25-44 Yrs Old ; Middle Aged: 45-64 Yrs Old ; Adult ; Emergencies ; Perception

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple's) procedure is indicated for complex  pancreatic  injuries,  with  immediate  reconstruction  for stable  patients  and  delayed  reconstruction  for  unstable  patients. This study aimed to review the authors' experience with trauma-related  Whipple's  procedure  at  the  East  Avenue  Medical  Center (EAMC).
METHODS: This study reviews cases where Whipple's procedure was performed from 2011 to 2015 at EAMC.  Data collected included age, gender, mechanism of injury, presentation, patient Injury Severity Score (ISS), time interval between injury to presentation, associated injury, surgical procedure, time and type of surgical reconstruction after resection complications and 30-day mortality.
RESULTS: During the 5 year period, 4 patients underwent Whipple's. All patients were male, mean age of 33.25 (range 29-48). Penetrating gunshot trauma was the predominant mechanism of injury (75% of cases) whereas peritonitis was the most common presentation (75% of cases). Mean ISS score is 29.5 (range 25-37).  Among them, 2 underwent  initial  resection  with  delayed  reconstruction  and  the other 2 underwent immediate reconstruction. Pancreaticojejunostomy was done for all pancreatic reconstruction. Cholecystojejunostomy (75%) and Choledochojejunostomy (25%) for biliary enteric conduit. Complications included pancreatic leak (50%), sepsis (25%) and pneumonia  (25%).  Overall,  30-day  mortality  rate  was  25%.Pancreatic leak was noted on all patients without stent placed on the pancreatic anastomosis.
CONCLUSION: Use of stents in pancreatic anastomosis in Whipple's for trauma may lessen the pancreatic leak rates, further studies are needed to prove this.  Cholecystojejunostomy can be an option for biliary enteric continuity, but further studies are needed to identify long tem patency rates.

Human ; Male ; Adult ; Pancreaticojejunostomy ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; Choledochostomy ; Pancreas ; Pancreatectomy ; Pancreatic Diseases ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; Peritonitis ; Sepsis

The authors report a patient who underwent elective cystogastrostomy for pancreatic pseduocyst and had three episodes of massive gastrointestinal bleeding postoperatively. The patient had bleeding vessels in the pseudocyst cavity of which conservative management of cold saline lavage and octreotide was instituted. Endoscopy was done after the 1st episode of bleeding and showed no active bleeding, no suture site bleeding and with blood clots inside the cavity. After the 2nd episode of gastrointestinal bleeding, there was a note of pinpoint hemorrhages on the pseudocyst wall. The plan was to do angiography but the patient succumbed to hypovolemic shock due to gastrointestinal bleeding hours after endoscopy. On retrospect, early angiography and possible embolization should have been done. Prompt surgical re-exploration is warranted among patients with hemodynamic instability.

Human ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Octreotide ; Therapeutic Irrigation ; Hypovolemia ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Angiography ; Vascular Diseases ; Thrombosis ; Endoscopy ; Hemodynamics