Code Blue evaluation in children's hospital.

BACKGROUND: True alarm rate of the Code Blue cases is at a low level in the Dr. Behçet Uz Children's Hospital in Izmir. This study aims to analyse the use of the Code Blue alarm cases in the children's hospital. METHODS: This retrospective clinical study evaluated the age and the gender of the cases, the arriving time of the Code Blue team, the date and time of the Code Blue Call, the reasons of the Code Blue Call, and the verification which were all obtained from the Code Blue forms of the hospital dated between January 2014 and January 2015. The data of 139 Code Blue cases' forms were investigated and was divided into two groups: before and after the education containing 88 and 51 cases, respectively. RESULTS: Conversive disorder (26% to 13%, P<0.01), syncope (21.5% to 19.6%, P<0.01), convulsion (17% to 13.7%, P<0.01), hypoglycemia (4.5% to 3.9%, P<0.01), anxiety (4.5% to 1.9%, P<0.01), head trauma due to syncope (4.5% to 0%), cardiac arrest (1.1% to 0%), respiratory difficulties (2.2% to 1.9%, P<0.01), suspicion of myocardial infarction (2.2% to 1.9%, P<0.01), fall from stairs (2.2% to 0%) and agitation cases (1.1% to 0%) were reduced, however, the hypertension cases were dramatically increased (3.4% to 29.4%, P<0.01) owing to the hospital staff's education. The Pearson's correlation coefficient before and after education was 0.837. About 97.8% of the Code Blue cases were false calls with female greater than male (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that more education is required for the hospital's staff and a new color code that is to say pre-diagnosis team should be formed.

Tamoxifen citrate: a glimmer of hope for silicosis.

BACKGROUND: Inhalation of crystalline silica nanoparticles causes pulmonary damage resulting in progressive lung fibrosis. Currently, there is no effective treatment for silicosis. Tamoxifen citrate is a selective estrogen receptor modulator, which is one of the adjuvant treatment choices for breast cancer. It is also known with its inhibitory effect on the production of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) and studied for the anti-fibrotic effect in some fibrotic diseases. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of tamoxifen citrate on the prevention of pulmonary fibrosis and the treatment of silicosis. METHODS: A total of 100 adult female Wistar Albino rats (200-250 g) were used in this study. The rats were divided into five groups including 20 rats in each. Rats were exposed to silica for 84 d in all groups. In group 1, rats were sacrificed on the day 84 without receiving treatment. In group 2, rats received 1 mg/kg tamoxifen (tmx1 + 1), from the first day of the study for the whole 114 d of the study. In group 3, (tmx10 + 10) rats were given 10 mg/kg tamoxifen from the first day of the study for the whole 114 d of the study. In group 4 (tmx1), rats were started 1 mg/kg of tamoxifen on day 84 and were given until day 114. In group 5 (tmx10), rats were fed with 10 mg/kg tamoxifen starting from day 84 to day 114. All rats except group 1 were sacrificed on 114 day of the study. Lung inflammation and fibrosis scores, serum TGF ß levels, lung smooth muscle antigen and tissue transforming growth factor ß (t-TGF-ß) antibody staining levels, and number of silicotic rats were compared between groups. RESULTS: Silicosis was caused successfully in all rats in group 1. There were six silicotic rats in group 3 and it was the lowest number of all groups. Plasma TGF-ß levels and fibrosis score were significantly lower in all groups when compared with the control group. Tamoxifen could have preventive or treating effects in silicosis and found that lung fibrosis score was significantly lower in rats treated with tamoxifen. CONCLUSIONS: Tamoxifen treatment after and/or before induction of silicosis decreased lung fibrosis score with blood TGF-ß levels. We hope that this study may introduce a new indication as prophylactic use of tamoxifen in high-risk groups for silicosis and for treatment of silicosis.

Comparison of short-term results of modified Karydakis flap and modified Limberg flap for pilonidal sinus surgery.

The aim of this study was to compare and analyze the short term results of modified Karydakis flap reconstruction (MKF) and modified Limberg flap reconstruction (MLF). This is a retrospective analysis of 81 patients operated for pilonidal sinus disease. There were 46 patients in MLF group and 35 patients in MKF group. We compared patients age, BMI, operation time, removal time of suction drain, time of feeling completely healed, type of presentation, complications, postoperative 1., 3., 5. Days VAS scores, time to stop analgesic drugs and time to sit on chair or throne without pain. Complication rate, analgesic drug stopping time, postoperative 5. days VAS score were lower in MLF group and there were significant difference between groups. MLF group patients feel better (P: 0.010), they recommended this operation to other pilonidal sinus patients (P: 0.010) and 36 of them rated their satisfaction excellent and 10 of them good (P: 0.010). MLF procedure was more comfortable for patients. Lesser pain, lower complication and recurrence rates and higher patient satisfaction were detected in MLF group.