Colonoscopy with endoscopic resection of detected colonic adenomas interrupts the adenoma-carcinoma sequence and reduces the incidence of colorectal cancer and cancer-related mortality. In the past decade, there have been significant developments in instruments and techniques for endoscopic polypectomy. Guidelines have been formulated by various professional bodies in Europe, Japan and the United States, but some of the recommendations differ between the various bodies. An expert professional workgroup under the auspices of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore, was set up to provide guidance on the endoscopic management of colonic polyps in Singapore. A total of 23 recommendations addressed the following issues: accurate description and diagnostic evaluation of detected polyps; techniques to reduce the risk of post-polypectomy bleeding and delayed perforation; the role of specific endoscopic resection techniques; the histopathological criteria for defining endoscopic cure; and the role of surveillance colonoscopy following curative resection.
Adenoma/surgery* ; Colonic Neoplasms/surgery* ; Colonic Polyps/surgery* ; Colonoscopy/methods* ; Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology* ; Humans ; Singapore ; United States

Humans ; Protective Clothing

Introduction:The management of musculoskeletal tumours is complex and requires a multi-disciplinary approach. Preoperative embolisation can be often employed to reduce intra-operative blood loss and complication rates from surgery. We report our experience with the safety, technical success and efficacy of pre-operative embolisation in musculoskeletal tumours. Materials and Methods:Thirteen consecutive patients who underwent pre-operative embolisation of a musculoskeletal tumour followed by surgical intervention at our institution from May 2012 to January 2016 were enrolled into the study. Patient demographics, tumour characteristics, embolisation techniques and type of surgery were recorded. Technical success of embolisation, amount of blood loss during surgery and transfusion requirements were estimated. Results: There were five female and eight male patients who underwent pre-operative embolisation during the study period. The age ranged between 16 to 68 years, and the median age was 54. Technical success was achieved in all patients. Mean intra-operative blood loss was 1403ml, with a range of 150ml to 6900ml. Eight patients (62%) required intra-operative blood products of packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma. No major complications occurred during embolisation. Conclusion: Pre-operative trans-arterial embolisation is feasible and safe for a variety of large and hypervascular musculoskeletal tumours. Our small series suggests that preoperative embolisation could contribute to the reduction of the intra-operative and post-operative blood product transfusion. It should be considered as a pre-operative adjunct for major tumour resections with a high risk of bleeding. The use of the haemoglobin gap complemented the assessment of perioperative blood loss.

Cavernous lymphangioma is a congenital malformation of lymphatic system causing dilated lymphatic sinuses that involve the skin and subcutaneous tissues. This was an interesting case of dystrophic macrodactyly of the left ring and little finger in a 18-month-old girl who presented with swollen and sausage like fingers deformity which turned out to be an isolated cavernous lymphangioma. This tumor, although rare to occur in the extremeties, must be differentiated from other congenital vascular lesions of the hand that include arteriovenous malformations and hemangiomas. Diagnosis should be solely based on histopathological analysis of the excised tissue mass. Surgical excision is usually necessary for satisfactory functional and cosmetic outcome.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has updated the clinical practice guidelines on hypertension to provide doctors and patients in Singapore with evidence-based treatment for hypertension. This article reproduces the introduction and executive summary (with recommendations from the guidelines) from the MOH clinical practice guidelines on hypertension, for the information of SMJ readers. Chapters and page numbers mentioned in the reproduced extract refer to the full text of the guidelines, which are available from the Ministry of Health website: http://www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/healthprofessionalsportal/doctors/guidelines/cpg_medical.html. The recommendations should be used with reference to the full text of the guidelines. Following this article are multiple choice questions based on the full text of the guidelines.
Antihypertensive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Blood Pressure ; Evidence-Based Medicine ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Hypertension ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Life Style ; Risk Factors ; Singapore

Concurrent thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysm is uncommon. It remains a formidable surgical challenge to vascular surgeons, as decision to treat in staged or simultaneous setting still debatable. We present, here, a case of a 62-year-old-man with asymptomatic concurrent thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms, which was successfully treated with two-stage hybrid endovascular repair. The aim of this case report is to discuss the treatment options available, possible associated complications and measures to prevent them.
Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic

The prevalence of allergic diseases is increasing globally, most particularly in middle- to low-income countries. This article examines the burden of allergic rhinitis and chronic urticaria in the Asia-Pacific region, unmet clinical needs, and the potential role of bilastine in the management of these conditions. An International Advisory Group meeting was convened in association with the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology Annual Congress in November 2014, followed by a literature review, and consensus-based outcomes from the meeting and literature review are described. Regional estimates of the prevalence of allergic rhinitis range from 10% to 50%, while little is known regarding the burden of urticaria in the Asia-Pacific region. A survey of allergy patients in the region identified fast, complete, and long-lasting symptom relief as the medication attributes most important to patients. International treatment guidelines for allergic rhinitis and urticaria advocate the first-line use of second-generation, no-sedating H1-antihistamines, such as bilastine, over their first-generation counterparts and a range of these agents are available to Asia-Pacific patients. The newer agents possess many of the properties of an "ideal" antihistamine (once daily administration, rapid and complete symptom relief, limited potential for drug-drug interactions, minimal side effects). The burgeoning prevalence of allergic diseases in the Asia-Pacific region and the uncontrolled symptoms that these patients experience demand a new antihistamine that offers the highest number of positive features according to the international guidelines.
Asia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Consensus ; Group Processes ; Histamine Antagonists ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Prevalence ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Urticaria

INTRODUCTIONThis study aimed to examine the attendance rates of post-discharge supervised rehabilitation as recommended by the multidisciplinary team at discharge among subacutely disabled adults and the barriers preventing adherence.

MATERIALS AND METHODSPatients were from a community hospital, aged 40 years or older. They had been assessed by a multidisciplinary team to benefit from rehabilitation after discharge, were mentally competent and communicative. We used a sequential qualitative-quantitative mixed methods study design. In the initial qualitative phase, we studied the patient-perceived barriers to adherence to rehabilitation using semi-structured interviews. Emerging themes were then analysed and used to develop a questionnaire to measure the extent of these barriers. In the subsequent quantitative phase, the questionnaire was used with telephone follow-up at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after discharge.

RESULTSQualitative phase interviews (n = 41) revealed specific perceived financial, social, physical and health barriers. At the start of the quantitative phase (n = 70), 87.1% of the patients viewed rehabilitation as beneficial, but overall longitudinal attendance rate fell from 100% as inpatient to 20.3% at 3 months, 9.8% at 6 months, 6.3% at 9 months and 4.3% at 12 months. The prevalence of physical and social barriers were high initially but decreased with time. In contrast, the prevalence of financial and perceptual barriers increased with time.

CONCLUSIONAttendance of post-hospitalisation rehabilitation in Singapore is low. Self-perceived barriers to post-discharge rehabilitation attendance were functional, social, financial and perceptual, and their prevalence varied with time.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Health Services Accessibility ; Hospitals, Community ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Patient Compliance ; Patient Discharge ; Qualitative Research ; Rehabilitation ; Self Concept ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Time Factors

INTRODUCTIONPrompt recognition of cardiac arrest and initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation is necessary for good outcomes from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). This study aims to describe the recognition and treatment of OHCA in patients conveyed by non-emergency ambulance services (EAS) in Singapore.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThis is a multi-centre, retrospective chart review, of cases presenting to public emergency departments (EDs), conveyed by non-EAS and found to be in cardiac arrest upon ED arrival. The study was from October 2002 to August 2009. The following variables were examined: ability to recognise cardiac arrest, whether CPR was carried out by the ambulance crew and whether an automated external defibrillator (AED) was applied.

RESULTSEighty-six patients were conveyed by non-EAS and found to be in cardiac arrest upon ED arrival. Mean age was 63 years (SD 21.8), 70.9% were males. A total of 53.5% of arrests occurred in the ambulance while 70.9% were found to be asystolic upon ED arrival. Seven patients had a known terminal illness. Survival to discharge was 3.5%. Cardiac arrest went unrecognised by the ambulance crew in 38 patients (44.2%). CPR was performed in 35 patients (40.7%) of the 86 patients and AED was applied in only 10 patients (11.6%).

CONCLUSIONWe found inadequate recognition and delayed initiation of treatment for OHCA. Possible reasons include a lack of training in patient monitoring and detection of cardiac arrest, lack of CPR training, lack of confidence in performing CPR, lack of AEDs on ambulances and lack of training in their use.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Ambulances ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; standards ; Electric Countershock ; standards ; Emergency Medical Services ; standards ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Singapore ; Transportation of Patients ; standards