A unified consensus statement on medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) has not yet been established among the Asian member countries or regions of the Asian Federation of Osteoporosis Societies (AFOS). This study aimed to develop a consensus on MRONJ in patients with osteoporosis across these countries and regions. In this study, the term “Asia-Pacific” refers specifically to the Asian member countries and regions of AFOS. A structured survey consisting of nine MRONJ-related questions was distributed across 10 countries and regions to assess the level of agreement and summarize regional perspectives. In addition, a manual literature review and voting were conducted to evaluate the current evidence on MRONJ. The key aspects of MRONJ, including definition, staging, diagnosis, pathogenesis, risk factors, management, and prevention, were generally consistent among the AFOS countries and regions. The annual incidence and incidence rate of MRONJ associated with low-dose antiresorptive therapy in patients with osteoporosis ranged from 0.025% to 0.136% and 21 to 283 cases per 100,000 person-years, respectively. However, evidence regarding the benefits of drug discontinuation before dental surgery, such as tooth extraction, remains insufficient. Large-scale, multinational studies across AFOS countries and regions are warranted to determine the incidence of MRONJ better and evaluate the impact of antiresorptive drug discontinuation before dental procedures. These findings may contribute to the devel opment of effective evidence-based strategies for preventing MRONJ in patients with osteoporosis.

Background: Malnutrition is common among cancer patients, and it can impact the surgical outcomes of the patients undergoing elective surgery. Addressing malnutrition at the early stage of treatment will enhance the recovery process of the patients after anti-cancer treatments. Our study aimed to assess the nutritional status among breast and colorectal cancer patients who were scheduled for elective surgery and treatment. Methods: A total of 89 patients, 46 breast cancer patients and 43 colorectal cancer patients participated in the study. Sociodemographic information and medical history were collected using a questionnaire. Body weight and height were measured using a weighing scale and stadiometer. Body composition data were collected using an 8-point bioimpedance analysis machine. Dietary intake was collected using a 7-day diet history. Handgrip strength was evaluated using a dynamometer. The prevalence of malnutrition was determined based on the AND/ASPEN malnutrition clinical characteristics. The differences between groups were analysed using independent sample t-test, Mann Whitney U test and chi-square test. Results: Out of 89 patients, 51.7% were diagnosed as being malnourished based on the AND/ASPEN characteristics. The most common malnutrition characteristic observed among the breast and colorectal cancer patients was reduced handgrip strength (56.2%), followed by experience of muscle loss (43.8%) and reduced food intake (42.7%). Conclusion There was a high prevalence of patients at risk of malnutrition among breast and colon cancer patients undergoing surgery. Early detection of malnutrition in cancer patients allows healthcare professionals to provide prompt intervention and improve their prognosis.
Malnutrition ; nutrition assessment ; hospitals ; Breast Neoplasms ; Colorectal Neoplasms

The Asia-Pacific Working Group on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was established in Cebu, Philippines, under the auspices of the Asian Pacific Association of Gastroenterology with the goal of improving IBD care in Asia. This consensus is carried out in collaboration with Asian Organization for Crohn's and Colitis. With biologic agents and biosimilars becoming more established, it is necessary to conduct a review on existing literature and establish a consensus on when and how to introduce biologic agents and biosimilars in the conjunction with conventional treatments for ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) in Asia. These statements also address how pharmacogenetics influence the treatments of UC and CD and provide guidance on response monitoring and strategies to restore loss of response. Finally, the review includes statements on how to manage treatment alongside possible hepatitis B and tuberculosis infections, both common in Asia. These statements have been prepared and voted upon by members of IBD workgroup employing the modified Delphi process. These statements do not intend to be all-encompassing and future revisions are likely as new data continue to emerge.
Adalimumab ; Asia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Biological Factors ; Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals ; Colitis ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; Consensus ; Cooperative Behavior ; Crohn Disease ; Gastroenterology ; Hepatitis B ; Humans ; Immunologic Factors ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ; Infliximab ; Pharmacogenetics ; Philippines ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Tuberculosis ; Ulcer

INTRODUCTIONBreast reconstruction is an integral part of breast cancer management with the aim of restoring a breast to its natural form. There is increasing awareness among women that it is a safe procedure and its benefits extend beyond aesthetics. Our aim was to establish the rate of breast reconstruction and provide an overview of the patients who underwent breast reconstruction at National University Hospital (NUH), Singapore.

METHODSWe evaluated factors that impact a patient's decision to proceed with breast reconstruction, such as ethnicity, age, time and type of implant. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of women who had breast cancer and underwent breast surgery at NUH between 2001 and 2010.

RESULTSThe breast reconstruction rate in this study was 24.3%. There were 241 patients who underwent breast reconstruction surgeries (including delayed and immediate procedures) among 993 patients for whom mastectomies were done for breast cancer. Chinese patients were the largest ethnic group who underwent breast reconstruction after mastectomy (74.3%). Within a single ethnic patient group, Malay women had the largest proportion of women undergoing breast reconstruction (60.0%). The youngest woman in whom cancer was detected in our study was aged 20 years. Malay women showed the greatest preference for autologous tissue breast reconstruction (92.3%). The median age at cancer diagnosis of our cohort was 46 years.

CONCLUSIONWe noted increases in the age of patients undergoing breast reconstruction and the proportion of breast reconstruction cases over the ten-year study period.

No abstract available.
Breast* ; Fasciitis, Necrotizing* ; Transplants*

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to compare the complication rates of two common breast reconstruction techniques performed at our hospital and the cost-effectiveness for each test group. METHODS: All patients who underwent deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap and transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap by the same surgeon were selected and matched according to age and mastectomy with or without axillary clearance. Patients from each resultant group were selected, with the patients matched chronologically. The remainder were matched for by co-morbidities. Sixteen patients who underwent immediate breast reconstruction with pedicled TRAM flaps and 16 patients with DIEP flaps from 1999 to 2006 were accrued. The average total hospitalisation cost, length of hospitalisation, and complications in the 2 year duration after surgery for each group were compared. RESULTS: Complications arising from both the pedicled TRAM flaps and DIEP flaps included fat necrosis (TRAM, 3/16; DIEP, 4/16) and other minor complications (TRAM, 3/16; DIEP, 1/16). The mean hospital stay was 7.13 days (range, 4 to 12 days) for the pedicled TRAM group and 7.56 (range, 5 to 10 days) for the DIEP group. Neither the difference in complication rates nor in hospital stay duration were statistically significant. The total hospitalisation cost for the DIEP group was significantly higher than that of the pedicled TRAM group (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Based on our study, the pedicled TRAM flap remains a cost-effective technique in breast reconstruction when compared to the newer, more expensive and tedious DIEP flap.
Breast ; Diclofenac ; Fat Necrosis ; Female ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Mammaplasty ; Mastectomy ; Perforator Flap ; Rectus Abdominis ; Surgical Flaps

INTRODUCTIONThis study aims to evaluate the outcome and safety of the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap for breast reconstruction in a group of Southeast Asian women treated in our unit and to identify risk factors for breast reconstruction using the DIEP flap in this population.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThis is a prospective study on 50 consecutive DIEP flap breast reconstructions by a single surgeon in an academic institution between July 1999 and July 2006. Data on patient demographics, diagnosis, procedure type, adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatments, risk factors and complications were prospectively collected and registered in a clinical database. Outcome variables include total flap loss, partial flap loss, fat necrosis and minor complications related to the donor site or flap. Known risk factors are analysed to determine if they affect outcome in terms of complication rate in this group of patients.

RESULTSTotal flap loss, partial flap loss and fat necrosis complication rates were 6%, 4% and 10%, respectively. Flap complication rates were comparable to those quoted by previous studies done worldwide. Obesity (BMI >27) is a statistically significant factor associated with development of DIEP flap complications in our population.

CONCLUSIONBreast reconstruction with DIEP flap is a safe and reliable method when used in Southeast Asian women, offering optimal results with less donor -site morbidity. Obesity increases the incidence of flap complication in this group of patients.

Abdomen ; surgery ; Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Breast ; surgery ; Databases, Factual ; Female ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; adverse effects ; methods ; Microsurgery ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Obesity ; Postoperative Complications ; Prospective Studies ; Rectus Abdominis ; surgery ; Risk Factors ; Surgical Flaps ; adverse effects ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

INTRODUCTIONLymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) has been described as a treatment of chronic lymphoedema. This microsurgical technique is new and technically difficult. The small caliber and thin wall lymphatic vessels are difficult to identify and easily destroyed during the dissection.

MATERIALS AND METHODSWe describe a technique of performing lymphaticovenular anastomosis with patent blue dye enhancement. Our patient is a 50-year-old lady who suffers from chronic lymphoedema of the upper limb after mastectomy and axillary clearance for breast cancer 8 years ago.

RESULTSPatent blue dye is injected subdermally and is taken up readily by the draining lymphatic channels. This allows for easy identification of their course. The visualisation of the lumen of the lymphatic vessel facilitates microsurgical anastomosis. The patency of the anastomosis is also demonstrated by the dynamic pumping action of the lymphatic within the vessels.

CONCLUSIONPatent blue dye staining during lymphaticovenular anastomosis is a simple, effective and safe method for mapping suitable subdermal lymphatics, allowing for speedier dissection of the lymphatic vessels intraoperatively. This technique also helps in the confirmation of the success of the lymphaticovenular anastomosis.

Anastomosis, Surgical ; methods ; Coloring Agents ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Lymphatic Vessels ; Lymphedema ; etiology ; surgery ; Mastectomy ; adverse effects ; Microsurgery ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Rosaniline Dyes ; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

No abstract available.
Breast ; Female ; Mammaplasty