Objective. This study aims to determine time and motion in the operating room in emergent, urgent and scheduled cesarean section surgeries among pregnant COVID-19 patients. Methodology. A time and motion performance evaluation study was done by computing the following parameters: pre-induction time, pre-incision time, opening time, closing time, for both decision-to-delivery interval (DDI) and overall operative time. Results. During the study period, emergent DDI average was 2 hours and 38 minutes, emergent overall operative time was 1 hour and 31 minutes, urgent DDI average was 3 hours and 51 minutes, and urgent overall operative time of 1 hour and 57 minutes. However, in both urgent and emergent cases, the recommended DDI of 30 minutes, and the average duration of 44.3 minutes for CS were not feasible. Conclusion. The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the provision of surgical obstetric care and OR utilization. Due to the new safety protocol for healthcare workers and patients, there was a significant delay in DDI and overall operative time. The causes were preparation, anesthesia factors or obstetrician factors. Identifying modifiable obstacles may improve the DDI, overall operative time, and the quality of maternal and child birth care during this pandemic.
Pregnancy ; Female ; Cesarean Section ; Time and Motion Studies ; COVID-19 ; Time Perception ; Motion

PURPOSE: The robotic system for surgery was introduced to gastric cancer surgery in the early 2000s to overcome the shortcomings of laparoscopic surgery. The more recently introduced da Vinci Xi® system offers benefits allowing four-quadrant access, greater range of motion, and easier docking through an overhead boom rotation with laser targeting. We aimed to identify whether the Xi® system provides actual advantages over the Si® system in gastrectomy for gastric cancer by comparing the operative outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent robotic gastrectomy as treatment for gastric cancer from March 2016 to March 2017. Patients' demographic data, perioperative information, and operative and pathological outcomes were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 109 patients were included in the Xi® group and 179 in the Si® group. Demographic characteristics were similar in both groups. The mean operative time was 229.9 minutes in the Xi® group and 223.7 minutes in the Si® group. The mean estimated blood loss was 72.7 mL in the Xi® group and 62.1 mL in the Si® group. No patient in the Xi® group was converted to open or laparoscopy, while 3 patients in the Si® group were converted, 2 to open surgery and 1 to laparoscopy, this difference was not statistically significant. Bowel function was resumed 3 days after surgery, while soft diet was initiated 4 days after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: We found no difference in surgical outcomes after robotic gastrectomy for gastric cancer between the da Vinci Xi® and da Vinci Si® procedures.
Diet ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Operative Time ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms

PURPOSE: Twenty early surgical management cases of distal humerus type-C fractures were analyzed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study analyzed 20 early patients, who received surgical management of distal humerus type-C fractures, and could be followed-ups for more than one year between March of 2013 and May of 2015. The operative time, bone union time, and elbow range of motion were analyzed. The Mayo's functional score was used to evaluate their postoperative function. The primary and secondary complications of each patient immediately after each of their surgery were also reviewed. RESULTS: All patient groups achieved bone union within an average period of 16.4 weeks. Based on the Mayo functional score, 6, 10, and 4 patients scored excellent, good, and fair, respectively. The average range of motion was a flexion contracture of 14.5° with a follow-up improvement averaging 120.7°. Six patients received nine revision operations due to major and minor complications. Two patients received revision fixation from an inadequate fixating power, and another patient received an ulnar nerve transposition. Other complications included olecranon osteotomy site displacement, superficial operational site infection, and pin loosening. CONCLUSION: Distal humerus fractures of the AO-C type can cause a range of complications and has a very high rate of revision due to its difficult nature of surgical manageability. Therefore, it is imperative for a surgeon to expect various complications beforehand and a careful approach to their postoperative rehabilitation is essential.
Contracture ; Elbow ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Humerus ; Intra-Articular Fractures ; Olecranon Process ; Operative Time ; Orthopedics ; Osteotomy ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Rehabilitation ; Surgeons ; Ulnar Nerve

BACKGROUND: A retrospective observational time motion study of elective gynecologic surgeries performed from January 2015 to December 2016 was conducted at the Operating Room Complex of a tertiary training hospital. There was a change from three operating suites with standard last stitch time in 2015 to only two with no cutoff times in 2016. This was due to the renovation of the Operating Room Complex.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors and problems affecting operating room processes

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Different time motion parameters such as induction time, length of induction, cutting time, last stitch time, total operation time, turnover time, and number of cases performed were collected from the nurses' documentation records. Average values from two different time periods were compared and analyzed.

RESULTS: Results showed no improvement with the revised policies implemented in 2016. With only two rooms, surgeons were able to cope with the number of patients by extending operating hours later through the day. Recurring problems on manpower and lack of resources were noted.

CONCLUSION: There is a need to identify hindrance to efficient operating room utilization with the goal to decrease patient queue, improve patient as well as staff satisfaction, and increase hospital revenue. Multi-disciplinary changes in practices, processes, and attitudes are timely for improvements in operating room utilization and consequently better patient centric outcomes.

Operating Rooms ; Personal Satisfaction ; Operative Time ; Surgeons ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Time And Motion Studies ; Attitude

INTRODUCTIONPhysiotherapy is an important part of rehabilitation following arthroplasty, but the impact of preoperative physiotherapy on functional outcomes is still being studied. This randomised controlled trial evaluated the effect of preoperative physiotherapy on the short-term functional outcomes of primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

METHODS50 patients with primary knee osteoarthritis who underwent unilateral primary TKA were randomised into two groups: the physiotherapy group (n = 24), whose patients performed physical exercises for six weeks immediately prior to surgery, and the nonphysiotherapy group (n = 26). All patients went through a similar physiotherapy regime in the postoperative rehabilitation period. Functional outcome assessment using the algofunctional Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) scale and range of motion (ROM) evaluation was performed preoperatively, and postoperatively at six weeks and three months.

RESULTSBoth groups showed a significant difference in all algofunctional KOOS subscales (p < 0.001). The mean score difference at six weeks and three months was not significant in the sports and recreational activities subscale for both groups (p > 0.05). Significant differences were observed in the time-versus-treatment analysis between groups for the symptoms (p = 0.003) and activities of daily living (p = 0.025) subscales. No significant difference in ROM was found when comparing preoperative measurements and those at three months following surgery, as well as in time-versus-treatment analysis (p = 0.928).

CONCLUSIONSix-week preoperative physiotherapy showed no significant impact on short-term functional outcomes (KOOS subscales) and ROM of the knee following primary TKA.

Activities of Daily Living ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Physical Therapy Modalities ; Preoperative Care ; methods ; Range of Motion, Articular ; physiology ; Recovery of Function ; Retrospective Studies ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo analyze the effects of metacarpus and phalanx traction on correction of scar contracture of hand after burn on the palm side retrospectively.

METHODSA total of 32 patients with 39 affected hands with scar contracture on the palm side after burn were hospitalized from May 2010 to December 2014. Method of treatment: scar contracture was conservatively released followed by skin grafting, which was referred to as method A; Kirschner wire was inserted into the middle or distal phalanx of finger with contracture and the corresponding metacarpus in the shape of U for 2 to 7 weeks' traction, which was referred to as method B; traction frame was built based on the traction pile and anchor formed by Kirschner wire inserted through the second to the fifth metacarpus and distal phalanx of finger with contracture, and then the affected fingers were pulled into a straight position with rubber bands for 2 to 6 months, which was referred to as method C. Method A was used in patients who would be treated with thorough release of scar followed by skin grafting routinely. Method B was used in patients who would be treated with intramedullary Kirschner wire fixation after release of scar contracture and skin transplantation routinely. Method C was further used in patients when methods A and B failed to accomplish the expected result. Method C was used in the first place followed by method A in whom there might be vascular decompensation or exposure of tendon and bone after scar release, and those who failed to meet the expectation were treated with method C in addition. Patients who were unwilling to undergo surgery were treated with method C exclusively. During the course of treatment, the presence or absence of infection and slipping of Kirschner wire or its slitting through soft tissue were observed. The presence or absence of tendency of recurrence of scar contracture within 1 to 2 weeks after treatment was observed. The length of palmar skin measuring from the root of finger with contracture to wrist crease was measured before treatment, at the termination of treatment, and 1 month after the termination of treatment. Scar condition was assessed with the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) before treatment and 1, 3, and 6 month(s) after the termination of treatment. Before treatment and 1 month after the termination of treatment, the range of motion was measured with the Total Active Movement (TAM) method; band function was evaluated by the Jebsen Test of Hand Function (JTHF), and the completion time was recorded. Data were processed with analysis of variance, LSD-t test, and t test.

RESULTSTwenty-four patients with 27 affected hands were treated with scheme A + B; 5 patients with 7 affected hands were treated with method C exclusively; 2 patients with 3 affected hands were treated with scheme A + B + C; 1 patient with 2 affected hands were treated with scheme C + A + C. During the course of treatment, no complication such as infection or slicing of tissue was observed, but there was a slight shifting of U-shaped Kirschner wire in 14 affected hands of 13 patients. Tendency of recurrence of scar contracture was observed in 11 affected hands of 10 patients, but the scar contracture did not reoccur after treatment with orthosis. The skin length of palmar side was respectively (131.8 ± 9.8) and (127.6 ± 7.5) mm at the termination of treatment and 1 month after, and they were both significantly longer than that before treatment [(114.5 ± 2.4) mm, with values respectively 10.71 and 10.39, P values below 0.001]. The score of VSS was respectively (9.8 ± 2.4), (9.7 ± 1.7), (9.3 ± 0.8), and (7.7 ± 0.5) points before treatment and 1, 3, and 6 month(s) after the termination of treatment. Only the score at 6 months after the termination of treatment was significantly lower than that before treatment (t = 3.28, P < 0.01). The ratio of excellent and good results according to method TAM was respectively 2.6% (1/39) and 94.9% (37/39) before treatment and 1 month after the termination of treatment. The time for JTHF measurement was (13.9 ± 4.1) min before treatment, and it was shortened to (11.0 ± 2.8) min 1 month after the termination of treatment (t = 3.65, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSSingle application of metacarpus and phalanx traction or its combination with skin transplantation after scar release in correcting scar contracture of the palm of hand after burn can lengthen the contracted tissue, and it is beneficial for the restoration of function and appearance of affected hand.

Burns ; rehabilitation ; therapy ; Cicatrix ; therapy ; Contracture ; surgery ; Hand Injuries ; rehabilitation ; therapy ; Humans ; Metacarpus ; Orthotic Devices ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Skin Transplantation ; Tendons ; Time ; Traction ; Treatment Outcome

The effects of the balance changes of pigment epithelium growth factor (PEDF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in whole-body and retinal tissue on rats with oxygen-induced retinopathy were investigated. Forty-eight neonatal SD rats at the age of 7 days were randomly divided into 4 groups. The neonatal rats in experimental groups were exposed to 75% to 80% oxygen for 5 days and then to normal air, and those in control groups were kept feeding in normal air. At the age of 17 and 22 days, all the neonatal rats received retina angiography with FITC-dextran and the pathological changes of retinal vessels and perfusion were observed. HE staining of the tissue section and the number counting of endothelial cells extending beyond the inner limiting membrane were performed to evaluate the endothelial proliferation. Immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the expression of PEDF and VEGF in retinal tissue, and ELISA to detect their expression in serum. A hypoxic-ischemic proliferation of retina and more endothelial cells extending beyond the inner limiting membrane were found in the neonatal rats in both experimental groups of 17-day old and 22-day old as compared with those in control group with the difference being statistically significant (P<0.01). VEGF staining of the rats in the 17-day old experimental group was significantly stronger, with an increasing positive rate, than that of the rats in the 17-day old control group (P<0.01). PEDF staining of the rats of 22 days old was weaker than that of the rats of 17 days old in the experimental groups (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in serum VEGF concentration among all groups (P>0.05). The serum PEDF concentration in the rats of 17 days old in experimental group was decreased significantly as compared with that in the rats of 17 days old in control group (P<0.01), and in experimental groups, the serum PEDF concentration of the rats of 22 days old was increased as compared with that of the rats of 17 days old (P<0.01). In conclusion, the obviously decreased serum PEDF concentration and the abnormal enhanced expression of VEGF density in local retinal tissue broke down the balance of PEDF/VEGF in whole-body or local tissues, which might play an important role in retinal vascular proliferation.
Animals ; Eye Proteins ; blood ; metabolism ; Nerve Growth Factors ; blood ; metabolism ; Oxygen ; adverse effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Retina ; metabolism ; Retinal Diseases ; etiology ; metabolism ; Serpins ; blood ; metabolism ; Time and Motion Studies ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; blood ; metabolism

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiologic and clinical outcomes after intramedullary nailing with Poller screw insertion at initial stage in infraisthmal femur shaft fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven consecutive patients (7 femurs) treated with antegrade intramedullary nailing with Poller screw insertion for the infraisthmal femur shaft fracture were reviewed retrospectively. There were 4 male and 3 female patients. Mean age was 46.1 years (20-72 years). Operative time including Poller screw insertion, time for union, malalignment, and range of motion were evaluated. RESULTS: All 7 cases had primarily healed successfully. Mean time for radiologic union was 19.1 weeks (16-24 weeks) postoperatively. One case had 5 degree valgus malalignment. One case of 15 mm shortening was reported and he required shoe lift orthosis. All cases had a full range of motion in hip and knee joint. CONCLUSION: Antegrade intramedullary nailing with Poller screw insertion is useful in the initial treatment of infraisthmal femur shaft fracture, because it could provide additional stability. An additional 20 minutes were required but a Poller screw should be considered according to the anatomic location of a femur shaft fracture.
Female ; Femur* ; Fracture Fixation ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; Hip ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; Male ; Operative Time ; Orthotic Devices ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Retrospective Studies ; Shoes

BACKGROUND: The literature does not provide consistent information on the impact of patients' gender on recovery after rotator cuff repair. The purpose of this study was to determine whether gender affects pain and functional recovery in the early postoperative period after rotator cuff repair. METHODS: Eighty patients (40 men and 40 women) were prospectively enrolled. Pain intensity and functional recovery were evaluated, using visual analog scale (VAS) pain score and range of motion on each of the first 5 postoperative days, at 2 and 6 weeks and at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Perioperative medication-related adverse effects and postoperative complications were also assessed. RESULTS: The mean VAS pain score was significantly higher for women than men at 2 weeks after surgery (p = 0.035). For all other periods, there was no significant difference between men and women in VAS pain scores, although women had higher scores than men. Mean forward flexion in women was significantly lower than men at 6 weeks after surgery (p = 0.033) and the mean degree of external rotation in women was significantly lower than men at 6 weeks (p = 0.007) and at 3 months (p = 0.017) after surgery. There was no significant difference in medication-related adverse effects or postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Women had more pain and slower recovery of shoulder motion than men during the first 3 months after rotator cuff repair. These findings can serve as guidelines for pain management and rehabilitation after surgery and can help explain postoperative recovery patterns to patients with scheduled rotator cuff repair.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications/epidemiology ; Prospective Studies ; Range of Motion, Articular ; *Recovery of Function ; Rotator Cuff/*surgery ; Sex Factors ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

INTRODUCTIONPatients suffering from bilateral knee osteoarthritis often require bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to alleviate symptoms. There is controversy surrounding the approach to the surgical treatment of such patients. We asked if Asian patients undergoing staged-bilateral TKA had any difference in their short-term functional outcomes, comparing the first TKA to the second one and if the interval between the 2 surgeries had any impact of functional outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODSWe identified 100 patients from a single surgeon from 2006 to 2010 who had staged-bilateral TKA and had at least 2 years of follow-up for each TKA. The time interval between the first and second TKA ranged from 6 months to 1 year. Range of motion, Oxford knee questionnaire scores, knee scores and function scores at 6 months and 2 years of follow-up were then compared between the first and second TKA using the Student's T-test.

RESULTSAlthough length of stay was reduced and time to ambulation was shorter for the second TKA, there were no significant differences in functional outcomes at 2 years. There was also no difference in outcome when patients were stratified according to time interval between TKAs.

CONCLUSIONStaged-bilateral TKA continues to be a good option for patients presenting with severe bilateral knee osteoarthritis. The second arthroplasty has similar functional outcomes as the first arthroplasty. Our results can be used in preoperative counselling of patients undergoing staged-bilateral TKA.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; methods ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Female ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; statistics & numerical data ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Operative Time ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Retrospective Studies ; Singapore ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Walking