Anatomy of the lumbar interspinous ligament: findings relevant to epidural insertion using loss of resistance.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The 'loss of resistance' technique is used to determine entry into the epidural space, often by a midline needle in the interspinous ligament before the ligamentum flavum. Anatomical explanations for loss of resistance without entry into the epidural space are lacking. This investigation aimed to improve morphometric characterization of the lumbar interspinous ligament by observation and measurement at dissection and from MRI. METHODS: Measurements were made on 14 embalmed donor lumbar spines (T12 to S1) imaged with MRI and then dissected along a tilted axial plane aligned with the lumbar interspace. RESULTS: In 73 interspaces, median (IQR) lumbar interspinous plus supraspinous ligament length was 29.7 mm (25.5-33.4). Posterior width was 9.2 mm (7.7, 11.9), with narrowing in the middle (4.5 mm (3.0, 6.8)) and an anterior width of 7.3 mm (5.7, 9.8).Fat-filled gaps were present within 55 (75%). Of 51 anterior gaps, 49 (67%) were related to the ligamenta flava junction. Median (IQR) gap length and width were 3.5 mm (2.5, 5.1) and 1.1 mm (0.9, 1.7).Detection of gaps with MRI had 100% sensitivity (95% CI 93.5 to 100), 94.4% specificity (72.7, 99.9), 98.2% (90.4, 100) positive predictive value and 100% (80.5, 100) negative predictive value against dissection as the gold standard. CONCLUSIONS: The lumbar interspinous ligament plus supraspinous ligament are biconcave axially. It commonly has fat-filled gaps, particularly anteriorly. These anatomical features may form the anatomical basis for false or equivocal loss of resistance.

Increased maternal body mass index is associated with prolonged anaesthetic and surgical times for caesarean delivery but is partially offset by clinician seniority and established epidural analgesia.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is associated with higher surgical and anaesthetic morbidity and difficulties. AIMS: We aimed to investigate associations between maternal body mass index (BMI) and the in-theatre time taken to produce an anaesthetised state or to perform surgery for caesarean delivery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines, we identified all women who underwent caesarean section at a single institution (2009-2015). The prospectively collected data arising from antenatal and peripartum care were analysed. Generalised linear regression was used to examine associations between maternal BMI and the time taken to anaesthetise the mother and the duration of surgery. RESULTS: Of a total of 24 761 caesarean deliveries, 5607 (22.7%) women were obese at antenatal registration. In-theatre anaesthetic preparation (18 vs 32 min, P < 0.001) and surgical duration (38 vs 52 min, P < 0.001) were longer in women with BMI ≥50 kg/m2 (BMI-50) than those with normal BMI (BMI-N). This difference remained significant after controlling for antenatal, intra-operative and immediate postoperative variables. Modifiable variables were identified that may mitigate the effects of severe obesity. Senior obstetric and anaesthetic care were both independently associated with a significant reduction in mean in-theatre anaesthetic preparation time and surgical duration, by 11 and three minutes respectively (P < 0.001), while epidural top-up significantly lessened mean anaesthetic in-theatre preparation duration by seven minutes (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Obese women had greater anaesthesia and surgery time, but the effect may potentially be mitigated by provision of care by experienced staff and prior establishment of epidural analgesia.

Opportunities for improving patient experiences among medical travellers from Canada's far north: a mixed-methods study.

OBJECTIVES: This paper explores patient experiences and identifies barriers and opportunities for improving access to healthcare for patients from the Canadian north who travel to receive medical care in a Southern province. DESIGN: A mixed-methods, cross-sectional study involved one-on-one interviews, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. PARTICIPANTS: 52 one-on-one interviews with Northwest Territories (NWT) patients and patient escorts and two focus group discussions (n=10). Fourteen key informant interviews were conducted with health workers, programme managers and staff of community organisations providing services for out-of-province patients. A Community Advisory Board guided the development of the questionnaires and interpretation of results. RESULTS: Respondents were satisfied with the care received overall, but described unnecessary burdens and bureaucratic challenges throughout the travel process. Themes relating to access to healthcare included: plans and logistics for travel; level of communication between services; clarity around jurisdiction and responsibility for care; indirect costs of travel and direct costs of uninsured services; and having a patient escort or advocate available to assist with appointments and navigate the system. Three themes related to healthcare experiences included: cultural awareness, respect and caring, and medical translation. Respondents provided suggestions to improve access to care. CONCLUSIONS: Patients from NWT need more information and support before and during travel. Ensuring that medical travellers and escorts are prepared before departing, that healthcare providers engage in culturally appropriate communication and connecting travellers to support services on arrival have the potential to improve medical travel experiences.

Haddenham easywrap: the latest innovation in the management of lymphoedema.

The use of velcro compression wrapping devices in the management of lymphoedema and chronic oedema is not a new concept. Wraps have been available for many years and are being used widely in clinic and community settings where bandaging or traditional compression garments are not suitable. Furthermore, they are becoming more common when treating venous disease, patients with wounds and lipoedema. The aim of this article is to introduce the reader and clinician to the new Haddenham easywrap and to demonstrate why it is different to any other velcro wrapping device available. Case studies will be utilised from clinicians currently using easywrap in clinical practice, with both therapist and patient feedback given to demonstrate the efficacy of this new velcro compression wrapping device.

Promoting independence for children on long-term ventilation.

It is the responsibility of children's nurses to enable children and young people who are on long-term ventilation (LTV) to live independent and varied lives. This article considers the common challenges faced by such children and reflects on personal experience in planning and undertaking a respite week for a young person on LTV with Duchenne's muscular dystrophy without his parents.

Sports and games for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

BACKGROUND: Traumatic experiences evoke emotions such as fear, anxiety and distress and may encourage avoidance of similar situations in the future. For a proportion of those exposed to a traumatic event, this emotional reaction becomes uncontrollable and can develop into Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (Breslau 2001). Most of those diagnosed with PTSD fully recover while a small proportion develop a chronic PTSD a year after the event (First 2004). Sports and games may be able to alleviate symptoms of PTSD. PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: 1. To assess the effectiveness of sports, and games in alleviating and/or diminishing the symptoms of PTSD when compared to usual care or other interventions. SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: 2. To assess the effectiveness of different types of sports and games in alleviating and/or diminishing symptoms of PTSD. SEARCH STRATEGY: The Cochrane Collaboration Depression, Anxiety and Neurosis Controlled Trials Registers (CCDAN-CTR) were searched up to June 2008.The following databases were searched up to June 2008: the Cochrane Central registry of Controlled Trials; MEDLINE; EMBASE; CINAHL; PsycINFO. Reference lists of relevant papers were searched and experts in the field were contacted to determine if other studies were available. SELECTION CRITERIA: To be included, participants had to be diagnosed with PTSD using criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM IV) and/or ICD criteria. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that considered one or more well-specified sports or games for alleviating and/or diminishing symptoms of PTSD were included.Sports, and games were defined as any organized physical activity done alone or with a group and non-physical activities such as computer games and card games done alone or with a group. Psychological interventions such as music therapy, art therapy and play therapy and behavioural therapy were excluded. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers (SL and MD) separately checked the titles and abstracts of the search results to determine which studies met the pre-determined inclusion criteria. A flow chart was used to guide the selection process. No studies met the inclusion criteria. MAIN RESULTS: The search strategy identified five papers but none of the studies met inclusion criteria. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: No studies met the inclusion criteria. More research is therefore required before a fair assessment can be made of the effectiveness of sports and games in alleviating symptoms of PTSD.