[Clinical and economic impact of an ambulatory cataract surgery center without anesthesia in an area with poor ophthalmologic coverage]. / Impact médico-économique d'un centre de chirurgie ambulatoire de la cataracte sans parcours anesthésique dans un territoire en tension.

INTRODUCTION: The Ambulatory Clinic for Cataract Surgery (CACC) is a public department of the Bourges Medical Center, with a fast-track protocol without perioperative anesthesia care launched in 2015. This study aimed to evaluate the benefits of the CACC in terms of access to cataract surgery. METHODS: This retrospective study included all patients undergoing cataract surgery between 2012 and 2018. Data were collected from the French PMSI database. In order to evaluate the impact of the CACC, the surgical activity and change in indicators of patient flow and usage, as well as clinical and economic factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Between 2012 and 2018, with the same number of ophthalmologists, surgical activity increased by 50.2% in the Cher (vs. a mean increase of 22.7% in France). The patient loss ratio decreased by 5.9 points, the attraction and self-sufficiency ratios increased by 2.3 and 8.6 points respectively. The standardized rate of healthcare utilization for cataract surgery increased by 4.3 points (from 11.6 to 15.9 surgeries per 1000 inhabitants). As a result, Cher became the second highest French Department in 2018 in terms of utilization rate despite its 96th place out of 109 Departments in terms of density of ophthalmologists. CONCLUSION: The ambulatory cataract surgery center without anesthesia for selected patients might represent a solution in medical deserts to improve access to cataract surgery without increasing costs.

[Epidemiology of ocular emergencies in a non-university hospital: Clinical characteristics and severity grading according to the Base Score]. / Épidémiologie des urgences ophtalmologiques dans un centre hospitalier non universitaire : spécificités cliniques et sévérité selon le Base Score.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyse the epidemiological characteristics of ophthalmological emergencies at the Bourges Medical Center (CHB) and to identify factors associated with severity according to the Base Score in a region of France considered a healthcare desert. METHODS: All consecutive charts of patients seen for an eye-related condition between January 1 and April 30, 2019 in the ocular emergency department of the CHB were studied retrospectively. Seven demographic and nine medical variables were collected, and ocular severity was defined according to the Base Score. Linear regressions were performed to identify the factors associated with higher severity. RESULTS: 1809 patients were included (mean age: 53.3±22.7 years, 51.4% women), of whom 1619 (89.5%) were self-referred. Ocular surface disease (12.5%) was the most frequent diagnosis. The severity of the eye-related condition was significantly associated with the following factors: male gender, distance from home to the emergency department, presentation soon after the onset of symptoms, and referral from a physician (ophthalmologist or not). The regression coefficient was greater than 1 only for the patient referral pattern. CONCLUSION: The current study highlights that when patients with ocular emergencies can self-refer to an ocular emergency department within a French healthcare desert, 9 patients out of 10 self-refer. Referral from a physician is the main factor associated with ocular severity; thus, these cases should be considered severe until proven otherwise.

[Nomadic plastic surgery: 1 NGO, 10 years, 30 missions]. / Chirurgie plastique nomade: 1 ONG, 10 années, 30 missions.

This publication presents the results of 10 years of nomadic plastic surgery missions by a small French non-governmental organization: Interplast-France/surgery without borders (www.Interplast-France.net). This NGO is specialized in reconstructive surgery in challenging conditions and works in developing countries. We present a view of 10 years of missions carried out between 2003 and 2013. This experience covers a uniform period both by the objectives proposed and the regularity of missions observed. This work shows the way surgical missions take place and the methodology used. We carried out 30 missions. We made more than 4000 consultations and we operated 1500 patients. Interventions are divided into one quarter cleft, one quarter tumors, one quarter burn injuries and one quarter of various diseases such as noma and Buruli ulcer. We show some adaptations such as autonomy during missions, the adjustment guidance in relation to this new environment and the integration of local traditions in our therapeutic action. We offer practical notions on the surgical procedures and some reflections on the societal level. This work aims primarily to pay tribute to all the invisible actors in this long chain of humanity, and thanks to the simple intervention of men, a patient can have the same medical treatment whether he is in an industrial country or in some isolated place on this earth.

Factors related to the development of cat scratch colon during colonoscopy.

Cat scratch colon (CSC) is an entity characterized by bright red linear tears which appear in the colonic mucosa during colonoscopy. Although they do not generally have clinical implications, cases of secondary pneumoperitoneum have been reported. To date, the prevalence, associated diseases, and factors that determine the appearance of CSC have not been adequately determined. We report a series of 20 cases of CSC found in 10715 consecutive colonoscopies. Demographic data, indication for the colonoscopy, endoscopy findings, and complications related to the procedure were recorded. Older age and male sex were significantly associated with CSC. In 15 of the 20 cases the CSC was related to diversion colitis, and 5 cases appeared in patients with collagenous colitis. In patients with diversion colitis, the longer the time elapsed since surgery, the greater the risk of these lesions occurring. None of the patients with CSC had complications related to the colonoscopy.

Occupational risk prevention in endoscopy units: a pending issue.

UNLABELLED: The degree of Knower and compliance with occupational risk prevention measures in the Spanish gastrointestinal endoscopy units is unknown. AIM: 1. To assess compliance with occupational risk prevention measures in GIE units. 2. To determine which factors influence the fulfillment of occupational risk prevention measures. METHODS: a validated survey was supplied to 300 GIE units, including questions on: 1. General occupational risk prevention measures; 2. occupational risk prevention measures during disinfection; 3. occupational risk prevention measures during examination. The following Hospital or GIE Unit characteristics were evaluated: Type of hospital according to the Spanish National Health Service; Number of hospital beds; Advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed and; Centers providing training in the field of endoscopy. RESULTS: response: 196 GIE units (65%). 104 GIE units (53% CI95%: 46-60) fulfill less than 50% of the occupational risk prevention measures studied.The RR of less than 50% of the ORP measures being fulfilled is 1.975 times higher at public hospitals than at private facilities (CI95%: 1.11-3.52). None of the remaining factors analyzed proved to have a significant influence. CONCLUSIONS: compliance with occupational risk prevention measures in Spanish GIE units is inadequate and must be improved. Public hospitals in Spain comply with fewer occupational risk prevention measures than their private counterparts.

Normal values in ambulatory oesophageal pH monitoring at two levels in Spain.

AIM: Upper oesophageal pH monitoring may play a significant role in the study of extra-oesophageal GERD, but limited normal data are available to date. Our aim was to develop a large series of normal values of proximal oesophageal acidification. METHODS: 155 healthy volunteers (74 male) participated in a multi-centre national study including oesophageal manometry and 24 hours oesophageal pH monitoring using two electrodes individually located 5 cm above the LOS and 3 cm below the UOS. RESULTS: 130 participants with normal manometry completed all the study. Twelve of them were excluded for inadequate pH tests. Twenty-seven subjects had abnormal conventional pH. The remaining 91 subjects (37 M; 18-72 yrs age range) formed the reference group for normality. At the level of the upper oesophagus, the 95th percentile of the total number of reflux events was 30, after eliminating the meal periods 22, and after eliminating also the pseudo-reflux events 18. Duration of the longest episodes was 5, 4 and 4 min, respectively (3.5 min in upright and 0.5 min in supine). The upper limit for the percentage of acid exposure time was 1.35, 1.05 and 0.95%, respectively. No reflux events were recorded in the upper oesophagus in 8 cases. CONCLUSION: This is the largest series of normal values of proximal oesophageal reflux that confirm the existence of acid reflux at that level in healthy subjects, in small quantity and unrelated to age or gender. Our data support the convenience of excluding pseudo-reflux events and meal periods from analysis.

No need to open the jar: a comparative study of Magnetic Resonance Imaging results on fresh and alcohol preserved common carps (Cyprinus carpio (L. 1758), Cyprinidae, Teleostei).

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) examinations have been conducted both on fresh and alcohol-preserved common carps (Cyprinus carpio). The images have been compared to those of a sagittally-cut frozen animal of the same species. This work shows that the images obtained are globally similar, and that the MRI technique can be applied to investigate the gross anatomy of alcohol-preserved specimens without destroying them. Unfortunately, this kind of study does not provide precise enough anatomical data for small specimens (less than 10 cm in total length) with a 1 Tesla magnetic field. Nevertheless, leaving the specimen in the jar during MRI examinations does not affect the quality of the final images.

Temporary ectopic digital implantation: a clinical series of eight digits.

This paper reports our experience with temporary ectopic digital implantation. Four patients suffered 12 digital amputations with large defect over the proximal stumps. Only 8 digits were suitable for microsurgical salvage but the local conditions made direct replantation impossible. In our first patient, the two digits were ectopically implanted onto the foot, while in the second patient the four amputated digits were implanted onto the opposite forearm. After stump reconstruction, the digits were microsurgically transferred to the hand, restoring a functional pinch. One digit suffered a venous congestion and necrosis in the ectopic site caused by a haematoma and another experienced a no-reflow phenomenon. In conclusion, temporary ectopic implantation remains a procedure that can be used to salvage amputated digits.

Factors that impact health-related quality of life in adults with celiac disease: a multicenter study.

AIM: To evaluate the factors involved in the impairment of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with celiac disease. METHODS: A multicenter, cross-sectional prospective study was performed in patients with celiac disease who completed two HRQOL questionnaires: the gastrointestinal quality of life index (GIQLI) and the EuroQol-5D (EQ). RESULTS: Three hundred and forty patients (163 controlled with a gluten-free diet, and 177 newly diagnosed with a normal diet) were included. The GIQLI score was significantly better in patients on a gluten-free diet (GFD) than in non-treated patients on their usual diet, both in terms of the overall score (3.3 vs 2.7, respectively; P < 0.001), as well as on the individual questionnaire dimensions. Both the preference value of the EQ as the visual analogue scale were significantly better in treated than in non-treated patients (0.93 vs 0.72 P < 0.001 and 80 vs 70 P < 0.001, respectively). Variables significantly associated with a worse HRQOL score were female gender, failure to adhere to a GFD, and symptomatic status. CONCLUSION: In untreated celiac disease, the most important factors that influence patient perception of health are the presence of symptoms and a normal diet. HRQOL improves to levels similar to those described in the general population in celiac disease patients well controlled with a GFD.

The pedicled vascularised scapular bone flap for proximal humerus reconstruction and short humeral stump lengthening.

The vascularised scapular bone free flap is popular in mandible reconstruction, but it is less commonly used as a pedicled flap to reconstruct the upper humerus. We analysed our experience with pedicled scapular crest flaps in humerus reconstruction and compared our results with cases reported in the literature. We considered the age at surgery, the time elapsed before reconstruction, the time required to obtain solid bony union, the operative indication, the osteosynthesis procedure used and whether circumflex scapular vessels or angular vessels were used. There were eight patients (seven men and one woman, mean age=33): four humerus stump lengthenings, two upper-third humerus bone and soft tissue defects and two multioperated established humerus non-unions. Flaps were pedicled either on circumflex scapular vessels (three) or angular vessels (five). The mean size of the scapular bone used was 9.4 cm (range 7-11 cm). We associated a covering flap for seven patients. All the flaps survived and bone healed in a 3.75 month mean delay (range three to six months), and there was one accidental secondary fracture one year after reconstruction. For a vascularised reconstruction of the upper humerus, the pedicled scapular bone flap is a valuable option especially if a composite reconstruction is needed. For short humerus stump lengthening, this flap seems to provide a very satisfactory solution.

Soft-tissue reconstruction of the distal lower leg and foot: are free flaps the only choice? Review of 215 cases.

Free flaps are the first choice procedure to manage soft-tissue defect of the lower limb for many authors, but loco-regional pedicled flaps are an alternative since they were described in the 1980s. We analysed the changes in our practice to reconstruct soft-tissue defects of the distal third of the leg. A retrospective chart review identified 215 cases of distal leg soft-tissue defect treated in the department during 15 years. The mean age was 43, and the sex ratio was 2.4. The aetiology, the size, the septic status and location of each wound were noted. The surgical procedures used and the complications have been analysed. The size and location of the wounds were comparable over the 15 years considered. Microsurgical tissue transfers were predominant in the 1980s and decreased in the 1990s, whereas the pedicled flap had an opposite evolution. In our experience, pedicled flaps are related to a non-significant lower rate of complication (18%) than free flaps (27%). Moreover, complications of local and regional flaps are less severe. Our practice has changed to make pedicled flaps our first choice to cover soft-tissue defects of the lower limb. However, we still use free flaps as a first choice for wide or composite defects, when pedicled flaps are not feasible or for cosmetic considerations to avoid additional scarring of the leg.