A call for nurse practitioner-led cancer survivorship clinics: The need for development and adoption within Ontario, Canada.

The growing prevalence of cancer survivors requiring comprehensive follow-up care after the completion of treatment is placing a significant strain on the Canadian healthcare system (Moura et al., 2022). Given the current landscape and the higher workload demands that are further exacerbated by shortages in healthcare staffing, the oncology specialist-led care, as the standard model for survivorship care is unsustainable and suboptimal in addressing a broad range of physical, psychosocial, supportive, informational, and rehabilitative needs of cancer survivors (Brennan et al., 2010; Canadian Partnership Against Cancer & Canadian Association of Provincial Cancer Agencies, 2010). Nurse-led models of survivorship care provided by oncology nurse practitioners (NPs) have been shown to be safe, effective, feasible, and appropriate for follow-up care (Chan et al., 2018). In the province of Ontario, survivorship care is provided mostly by physicians. Specialized NP-led survivorship clinics or programs are currently lacking based on a recent environmental scan. This paper outlines current barriers and opportunities in NP-led survivorship care. This is a call to action and for advocacy regarding the examination of oncology services and outlines the need for the development and implementation of NP-led survivorship clinics in Ontario, Canada.

Outcomes of neonatal congenital diaphragmatic hernia in a non-ECMO center in a middle-income country: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Most studies examining survival of neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) are in high-income countries. We aimed to describe the management, survival to hospital discharge rate, and factors associated with survival of neonates with unilateral CDH in a middle-income country. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical notes of neonates with unilateral CDH admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in a tertiary referral center over a 15-year period, from 2003-2017. We described the newborns' respiratory care pathways and then compared baseline demographic, hemodynamic, and respiratory indicators between survivors and non-survivors. The primary outcome measure was survival to hospital discharge. RESULTS: Altogether, 120 neonates were included with 43.3% (52/120) diagnosed antenatally. Stabilization occurred in 38.3% (46/120) with conventional ventilation, 13.3% (16/120) with high-frequency intermittent positive-pressure ventilation, and 22.5% (27/120) with high frequency oscillatory ventilation. Surgical repair was possible in 75.0% (90/120). The overall 30-day survival was 70.8% (85/120) and survival to hospital discharge was 66.7% (80/120). Survival to hospital discharge tended to improve over time (p > 0.05), from 56.0% to 69.5% before and after, respectively, a service reorganization. For those neonates who could be stabilized and operated on, 90.9% (80/88) survived to hospital discharge. The commonest post-operative complication was infection, occurring in 43.3%. The median survivor length of stay was 32.5 (interquartile range 18.8-58.0) days. Multiple logistic regression modelling showed vaginal delivery (odds ratio [OR] = 4.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.1-21.67]; p = 0.041), Apgar score [Formula: see text] 7 at 5 min (OR = 6.7; 95% CI [1.2-36.3]; p = 0.028), and fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) < 50% at 24 h (OR = 89.6; 95% CI [10.6-758.6]; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with improved survival to hospital discharge. CONCLUSIONS: We report a survival to hospital discharge rate of 66.7%. Survival tended to improve over time, reflecting a greater critical volume of cases and multi-disciplinary care with early involvement of the respiratory team resulting in improved transitioning from PICU. Vaginal delivery, Apgar score [Formula: see text] 7 at 5 min, and FiO2 < 50% at 24 h increased the likelihood of survival to hospital discharge.

Reversal of residual neuromuscular block with neostigmine or sugammadex and postoperative pulmonary complications: a prospective, randomised, double-blind trial in high-risk older patients.

BACKGROUND: Residual neuromuscular block is associated with an increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications in retrospective studies. The aim of our study was to investigate prospectively the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications after reversal with either sugammadex (SUG) or neostigmine (NEO) in high-risk older patients. METHODS: We randomly allocated 180 older patients with significant morbidity (ASA physical status 3) ≥75 yr old to reversal of rocuronium with either SUG or NEO. Adverse events in the recovery room and pulmonary complications (defined by a 5-point [0-4; 0=best to 4=worst] outcome score) on postoperative Days 1, 3, and 7 were compared between groups. RESULTS: Data from 168 patients aged 80 (4) yr were analysed; SUG vs NEO resulted in a reduced probability (0.052 vs 0.122) of increased pulmonary outcome score (impaired outcome) on postoperative Day 7, but not on Days 1 and 3. More patients in the NEO group were diagnosed with radiographically confirmed pneumonia (9.6% vs 2.4%; P=0.046). The NEO group showed a non-significant trend towards longer hospital length of stay across all individual centres (combined 9 vs 7.5 days), with a significant difference in Malaysia (6 vs 4 days; P=0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Reversal of rocuronium neuromuscular block with SUG resulted in a small, but possibly clinically relevant improvement in pulmonary outcome in a select cohort of high-risk older patients. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12614000108617.

Evaluation of the quality of acute pain management in a pediatric surgical setting: Validation of a parent proxy modified version of the revised American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: Effective pain management involves a cycle of continual pain assessment, good pain control strategies, and assessment of a standard quality improvement measures. A validated questionnaire that focuses on the quality of postoperative pain management in pediatric surgical patients and parental satisfaction on pain treatment is lacking. We, therefore, modified the revised American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire to evaluate the quality of postoperative pain management in a pediatric surgical setting. The primary aim of this study was to validate the modified version of revised American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire. METHODS: Parents whose children aged below 12 years and were scheduled for elective surgery in a teaching hospital, were approached to participate in this survey. The reliability of the modified version of revised American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha test, while the construct validity was assessed with a principal component analysis using a varimax rotation. The parental satisfaction with pain treatment received was measured. RESULTS: A total of 108 parents completed the questionnaire. The internal consistency of the questionnaire shows a Cronbach's alpha of 0.798. Principal component analysis revealed a four-factor structure of the 12 items which explained 69.7% of the total variance. The factors are "Interference of sleep and activity," "Pain severity and drowsiness," "Perception of care," and "Adverse effects," respectively. Our study showed that this questionnaire is a valid and reliable measure for "Interference of sleep and activity" and "Pain severity and drowsiness" factors, but not for "Perception of care" and "Adverse effects." The results for "Perception of care" and "Adverse effects," therefore, should be reported as individual items instead of total score. The parental satisfaction with pain treatment given was good (median 8.0; IQR 3.0). CONCLUSION: The modified version of revised American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire is a feasible and easy instrument to administer. The questionnaire can be used to obtain feedback from parents about the outcomes and experiences of pain management and is helpful in continuous quality evaluation and improvement in the postoperative care in a pediatric setting.

Significant factors influencing inadvertent hypothermia in pediatric anesthesia.

Thermal imbalances are very common during surgery. Hypothermia exposes the patient to post-operative shivering, cardiac dysfunction, coagulopathy, bleeding, wound infection, delayed anesthesia recovery, prolonged hospital stay and increased hospitalization cost. There are many factors contributing to intraoperative hypothermia. This is a prospective cohort study conducted through observation and measurement of pediatric surgical patients' temperature. Convenience sampling methods were used in this study. Initial skin temperature and core temperature at 10 min, 30 min,1 h, 2 h, 3 h, 4 h, 5 h, 6 h and at the end of surgery were recorded. Body temperature was monitored from time of transfer to the operating table until recovery and discharge to the respective pediatric ward. The overall incidence of intraoperative hypothermia was still very high at about 46.6% even though active and passive temperature management were carried out during surgery. Patient's age, body weight, duration of surgery, type of surgery, intraoperative blood loss, type of anesthesia and operating room temperature were factors that contributed to intraoperative hypothermia. Hypothermia is common in surgery, especially in major and long duration surgery. Intraoperative hypothermia can be life threatening if it is not handled carefully. Various methods are used before, during and after surgery to maintain a patient's body temperature within the normothermia range. The use of an active warming device like the Bair Hugger® air-forced warming system seems to be a good method for reducing the risk of intraoperative hypothermia and effectively maintaining body temperature for all major and minor surgeries.

Comparison of clinical performance of size 1.5 Supreme™ LMA and Proseal™ LMA among Asian children: a randomized controlled trial.

To date, most of the studies on safety and efficacy of supraglottic airway devices were done in Caucasian patients, and the results may not be extrapolated to Asian patients due to the different airway anatomy. We conducted this study to compare Supreme™ LMA (SLMA) and Proseal™ LMA (PLMA) size 1.5 in anaesthetized children among an Asian population. This prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted in a tertiary teaching hospital from September 2013 until May 2016. Sixty children, weighing 5-10 kg, who were scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia were recruited and completed the study. Patients were randomly assigned to have either SLMA or PLMA as the airway device for general anaesthesia, and standard anaesthesia protocol was followed. The primary outcome measured was the oropharyngeal leak pressure (OLP). The rate of successful insertion, insertion time, fibreoptic view of larynx and airway complications for each device were also assessed. There were no statistically significant differences between SLMA and PLMA size 1.5 in oropharyngeal leak pressure [19.1 (± 5.5) cmH2O vs. 19.8 (± 4.5) cmH2O, p = 0.68]. Secondary outcomes including time to insertion [20.8 (± 8.3) vs. 22.1 (± 8.3) s, p = 0.57], first attempt success rate for device insertion, fibreoptic view of larynx, and airway complications were also comparable between the two devices. We found that all the patients who had a failed device insertion (either PLMA or SLMA) were of a smaller size (5-6.2 kg). The oropharyngeal leak pressure of the SLMA 1.5 was comparable with the PLMA 1.5, and both devices were able to maintain an airway effectively without significant clinical complications in anaesthetized children from an Asian population.

A multicenter, phase 3, randomized trial of concurrent chemoradiotherapy plus adjuvant chemotherapy versus radiotherapy alone in patients with regionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: 10-year outcomes for efficacy and toxicity.

BACKGROUND: Concurrent-adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) became a recommended treatment for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) with the first report of a significant survival benefit from the Intergroup 0099 study. However, data on late toxicities are lacking. Previous reports from the current NPC-9901 trial have raised concerns about a failure to improve overall survival (OS) because of an inadequate impact on distant control and increases in toxicities/noncancer deaths. Validation of the long-term therapeutic ratio is needed. METHODS: In this phase 3, randomized trial, patients with nonkeratinizing NPC (stage T1-4/N2-3/M0) were randomly assigned to radiotherapy alone (176 patients) or to CRT (172 patients) with concurrent cisplatin followed by adjuvant cisplatin plus fluorouracil. RESULTS: The early findings of significant improvements in tumor control were maintained: the CRT group achieved significantly higher 10-year overall failure-free (62% vs 50%; P = .01) and progression-free survival rates (56% vs 42%; P = .006) because of superior locoregional control (87% vs 74%; P = .003), whereas the impact on distant control remained insignificant (68% vs 65%; P = .24). The initial differences in toxicities diminished with longer follow-up: 52% versus 47% at 10 years for late toxicities (P = .20), 4.1% versus 2.8% for deaths due to treatment toxicity, and 15.1% versus 13.1% for deaths due to incidental/unknown causes. The OS rate for the CRT group reached statistical superiority at 10 years (62% vs 49%; P = .047). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term results have confirmed that CRT can significantly improve OS without excessive late toxicities for patients with regionally advanced NPC. However, more potent therapy is needed for improving distant control, especially for patients with stage IVA/B disease. Cancer 2017;123:4147-4157. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Prognostic nomogram for refining the prognostication of the proposed 8th edition of the AJCC/UICC staging system for nasopharyngeal cancer in the era of intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to develop a nomogram for refining prognostication for patients with nondisseminated nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) staged with the proposed 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC)/Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) staging system. METHODS: Consecutive patients who had been investigated with magnetic resonance imaging, staged with the proposed 8th edition of the AJCC/UICC staging system, and irradiated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy from June 2005 to December 2010 were analyzed. A cohort of 1197 patients treated at Fujian Provincial Cancer Hospital was used as the training set, and the results were validated with 412 patients from Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital. Cox regression analyses were performed to identify significant prognostic factors for developing a nomogram to predict overall survival (OS). The discriminative ability was assessed with the concordance index (c-index). A recursive partitioning algorithm was applied to the survival scores of the combined set to categorize the patients into 3 risk groups. RESULTS: A multivariate analysis showed that age, gross primary tumor volume, and lactate dehydrogenase were independent prognostic factors for OS in addition to the stage group. The OS nomogram based on all these factors had a statistically higher bias-corrected c-index than prognostication based on the stage group alone (0.712 vs 0.622, P <.01). These results were consistent for both the training cohort and the validation cohort. Patients with <135 points were categorized as low-risk, patients with 135 to <160 points were categorized as intermediate-risk, and patients with ≥160 points were categorized as high-risk. Their 5-year OS rates were 92%, 84%, and 58%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed nomogram could improve prognostication in comparison with the TNM stage group. This could aid in risk stratification for individual NPC patients. Cancer 2016;122:3307-3315. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

Proposal for the 8th edition of the AJCC/UICC staging system for nasopharyngeal cancer in the era of intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: An accurate staging system is crucial for cancer management. Evaluations for continual suitability and improvement are needed as staging and treatment methods evolve. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 1609 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma investigated by magnetic resonance imaging, staged with the 7th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC)/International Union Against Cancer (UICC) staging system, and irradiated by intensity-modulated radiotherapy at 2 centers in Hong Kong and mainland China. RESULTS: Among the patients without other T3/T4 involvement, there were no significant differences in overall survival (OS) between medial pterygoid muscle (MP) ± lateral pterygoid muscle (LP), prevertebral muscle, and parapharyngeal space involvement. Patients with extensive soft tissue involvement beyond the aforementioned structures had poor OS similar to that of patients with intracranial extension and/or cranial nerve palsy. Only 2% of the patients had lymph nodes > 6 cm above the supraclavicular fossa (SCF), and their outcomes resembled the outcomes of those with low extension. Replacing SCF with the lower neck (extension below the caudal border of the cricoid cartilage) did not affect the hazard distinction between different N categories. With the proposed T and N categories, there were no significant differences in outcome between T4N0-2 and T1-4N3 disease. CONCLUSIONS: After a review by AJCC/UICC preparatory committees, the changes recommended for the 8th edition include changing MP/LP involvement from T4 to T2, adding prevertebral muscle involvement as T2, replacing SCF with the lower neck and merging this with a maximum nodal diameter > 6 cm as N3, and merging T4 and N3 as stage IVA criteria. These changes will lead not only to a better distinction of hazards between adjacent stages/categories but also to optimal balance in clinical practicability and global applicability.

Prolonged drug-induced myoclonus: is it related to palonosetron?

We report a case of drug-induced myoclonus possibly related to palonosetron, a second-generation 5-hydroxytryptamine-3 receptor antagonist which was administered as a prophylaxis for postoperative nausea and vomiting in a 28-year-old female. The recurrent episodes of myoclonus jerk involving the head, neck and shoulder persisted for a period of 4 days. The patient also exhibited an episode of severe bradycardia leading to hypotension 7 h after surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first report presenting these adverse events potentially associated with the use of palonosetron.

Preliminary results of trial NPC-0501 evaluating the therapeutic gain by changing from concurrent-adjuvant to induction-concurrent chemoradiotherapy, changing from fluorouracil to capecitabine, and changing from conventional to accelerated radiotherapy fractionation in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: A current recommendation for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is conventional fractionated radiotherapy with concurrent cisplatin plus adjuvant cisplatin and fluorouracil (PF). In this randomized trial, the authors evaluated the potential therapeutic benefit from changing to an induction-concurrent chemotherapy sequence, replacing fluorouracil with oral capecitabine, and/or using accelerated rather than conventional radiotherapy fractionation. METHODS: Patients with stage III through IVB, nonkeratinizing NPC were randomly allocated to 1 of 6 treatment arms. The protocol was amended in 2009 to permit confining randomization to the conventional fractionation arms. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival. Secondary endpoints included overall survival and safety. RESULTS: In total, 803 patients were accrued, and 706 patients were randomly allocated to all 6 treatment arms. Comparisons of induction PF versus adjuvant PF did not indicate a significant improvement. Unadjusted comparisons of induction cisplatin and capecitabine (PX) versus adjuvant PF indicated a favorable trend in progression-free survival for the conventional fractionation arm (P = .045); analyses that were adjusted for other significant factors and fractionation reflected a significant reduction in the hazards of disease progression (hazard ratio [HR], 0.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.36-0.80) and death (HR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.25-0.70). Unadjusted comparisons of induction sequences versus adjuvant sequences did not reach statistical significance, but adjusted comparisons indicated favorable improvements by induction sequence. Comparisons of induction PX versus induction PF revealed fewer toxicities (neutropenia and electrolyte disturbance), unadjusted comparisons of efficacy were statistically insignificant, but adjusted analyses indicated that induction PX had a lower hazard of death (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.34-0.97). Changing the fractionation from conventional to accelerated did not achieve any benefit but incurred higher toxicities (acute mucositis and dehydration). CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results indicate that the benefit of changing to an induction-concurrent sequence remains uncertain; replacing fluorouracil with oral capecitabine warrants further validation in view of its convenience, favorable toxicity profile, and favorable trends in efficacy; and accelerated fractionation is not recommended for patients with locoregionally advanced NPC who receive chemoradiotherapy.

Dexmedetomidine and ketamine sedation for dental extraction in children with cyanotic heart disease.

Treating children with cyanotic congenital heart disease poses many challenges to anesthesiologists because of the multiple problems associated with the condition. The anesthetic technique and drugs used perioperatively can affect a patient's physiologic status during surgery. The adherence to certain hemodynamic objectives and the avoidance of factors that could worsen the abnormal cardiopulmonary physiology cannot be overemphasized. In the present case series, we describe the use of a dexmedetomidine-ketamine combination for dental extraction in spontaneously breathing children with cyanotic congenital heart disease. The anesthetic concerns regarding airway management, the pharmacologic effects of drugs, and maintenance of adequate hemodynamic, blood gases, and acid-base status are discussed.

Clinical outcome and biomarker assessments of a multi-centre phase II trial assessing niraparib with or without dostarlimab in recurrent endometrial carcinoma.

This multi-centre, non-randomized, open-label, phase II trial (NCT03016338), assessed niraparib monotherapy (cohort 1, C1), or niraparib and dostarlimab (cohort 2, C2) in patients with recurrent serous or endometrioid endometrial carcinoma. The primary endpoint was clinical benefit rate (CBR), with ≥5/22 overall considered of interest. Secondary outcomes were safety, objective response rate (ORR), duration of response, progression free survival and overall survival. Translational research was an exploratory outcome. Potential biomarkers were evaluated in archival tissue by immunohistochemistry and next generation sequencing panel. In C1, 25 patients were enrolled, and CBR was 20% (95% CI: 9-39) with median clinical benefit duration of 5.3 months. The ORR was 4% (95% CI: 0-20). In C2, 22 patients were enrolled, and the CBR was 31.8% (95% CI: 16-53) with median clinical benefit duration of 6.8 months. The ORR was 14% (95% CI: 3-35). No new safety signals were detected. No significant association was detected between clinical benefit and IHC markers (PTEN, p53, MMR, PD-L1), or molecular profiling (PTEN, TP53, homologous recombination repair genes). In conclusion, niraparib monotherapy did not meet the efficacy threshold. Niraparib in combination with dostarlimab showed modest activity.

Randomized comparison of the Baska FESS mask and the LMA Supreme in different head and neck positions.

BACKGROUND: The Baska functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) mask is a new supraglottic airway designed for head and neck procedures. This prospective, randomized controlled trial compared the oropharyngeal leak pressure (OLP) of the Baska FESS mask with the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) Supreme in different head and neck positions. METHODS: One hundred patients undergoing elective surgery were recruited. OLP was compared in supine position, 45° lateral rotation, 45° neck extension, and 30° neck flexion. Glottic view, insertion time, ease of insertion, number of attempts, ease and time of insertion of gastric tube, and complications were also compared. RESULTS: The OLP of the Baska FESS was higher than the LMA Supreme in all head and neck positions studied (p < 0.001). Glottic views were better in the Baska FESS in supine and lateral rotation. LMA Supreme was easier (p = 0.046) and faster (p < 0.001) to insert. First attempt insertion success rates were 91.8% for Baska FESS and 98% for LMA Supreme. Gastric drain was easier and faster to insert (p < 0.001) in the LMA Supreme. CONCLUSIONS: The Baska FESS provides a superior airway seal with higher mean OLP than the LMA Supreme in all head and neck positions studied. However, LMA Supreme was superior in terms of ease and speed of insertion.

Prospective, Multicenter, Phase 2 Trial of Induction Chemotherapy Followed by Bio-Chemoradiotherapy for Locally Advanced Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate, in a phase 2 study, whether induction docetaxel, cisplatin, and fluorouracil (TPF) followed by weekly docetaxel and cetuximab in concurrence with intensity modulated radiation therapy can improve the treatment outcome for patients with advanced locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (rNPC). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Thirty-three patients with rNPC (T3-T4, N0-N1, M0) were recruited. Of these, 19 patients (57.6%) had stage rT3 recurrence, and the rest had stage rT4. Eight patients also had rN1 at the time of relapse. Treatment outcomes and safety were evaluated. RESULTS: Among these 33 patients, 1 died after 1 cycle of TPF, 5 patients withdrew from the study during the induction period because of grade ≥3 toxicities; 27 patients completed the whole course of treatment, but 1 died before any assessment could be made. The median follow-up period was 28.5 months. The progression-free survival and overall survival at 3 years for the whole group were 35.7% and 63.8%, respectively. Among the 26 patients who could be assessed after treatment, the complete response rate was 30.8%, and the locoregional control rate at 3 years was 49.2%. Temporal lobe necrosis (TLN) developed in 8 cases. The rates of grade ≥3 hearing loss, soft tissue necrosis, dysphagia, and trismus were 30.8%, 15.4%, 11.5%, and 19.2%, respectively. Overall, 5 patients died owing to acute (1 after cycle 1 TPF and 1 after completion of bio-chemoradiotherapy) or late (2 epistaxis and 1 TLN) treatment-related complications. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed salvage treatment regimen for advanced locally recurrent NPC could achieve a better treatment outcome than seen in previous studies. However, poor tolerability of induction TPF and the high rate of TLN limit its applicability outside clinical trials.

Concurrent-Adjuvant Chemoradiation Therapy for Stage III-IVB Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma-Exploration for Achieving Optimal 10-Year Therapeutic Ratio.

PURPOSE: This is an updated combined analysis of 2 randomized studies (NPC-9901 and NPC-9902 trials) to evaluate the 10-year outcome attributed to the addition of concurrent-adjuvant chemotherapy for advanced locoregional nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible patients with stage III-IVB nonkeratinizing NPC were randomly assigned to radiation therapy alone (RT: 218 patients) or chemoradiation therapy (CRT: 223 patients) using 3 cycles of cisplatin (100 mg/m2) concurrent with RT, followed by 3 cycles of cisplatin (80 mg/m2) and fluorouracil (1000 mg/m2/day for 4 days). All of the patients were irradiated with conventional fractionation to ≥66 Gy. The median follow-up was 13.9 years. RESULTS: Intention-to-treat analysis confirmed that the CRT group achieved significant improvement in 10-year failure-free rate (FFR: 62% vs 52%, P = .016), progression-free survival rate (PFS: 56% vs 44%, P = .008), and overall survival rate (OS: 60% vs 50%, P = .044). There was no significant increase in overall late toxicity rate (51% vs 48%, P = .34) or noncancer deaths (19% vs 16%, P = .52). Exploratory studies showed no difference in disease control between 2 or 3 cycles of concurrent cisplatin; however, patients given 3 concurrent cycles had a significant increase in hearing impairment (40% vs 24%, P = .017). Only those who continued to receive 2 or more cycles of adjuvant cisplatin-fluorouracil achieved significant improvement in distant control (73% vs 65%, P = .037) and maximal survival gain. CONCLUSION: The addition of concurrent cisplatin plus adjuvant cisplatin-fluorouracil could significantly improve overall survival and disease control without incurring a significant increase in late toxicity or noncancer deaths. Exploratory analyses suggested that both the concurrent and the adjuvant phases contributed to tumor control. Furthermore, the number of concurrent cycles could be reduced from 3 to 2 cycles in order to achieve a similar survival benefit without incurring an excessive increase in hearing impairment. This is a useful hypothesis that warrants further validation.

In vitro and in vivo Evaluation of New Topical Anaesthetic Cream Formulated with Palm Oil Base.

BACKGROUND: Topical local anaesthetic cream was reported to be useful for pain relief for cutaneous procedures such as minor surgery and venipuncture. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of new formulation of lidocaine topical anaesthetic using palm oil base, HAMIN® and to determine how fast this new formulation produces adequate numbness compared to the currently used EMLA cream, in the University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) set-up. METHOD: The skin permeation test was conducted by using Franz type diffusion cell and pain assessment was carried out in healthy subject by using Verbal Rating Score (VRS) and Visual Analogue Score (VAS) evaluation. RESULT: Result of permeation test demonstrated that the cumulative amount of lidocaine released from HAMIN® cream was increased with time and slightly higher than EMLA cream. The clinical study showed that HAMIN® single lidocaine cream can produces numbness through venepuncture procedure and comparable with EMLA cream which is a combination therapy for local anaesthetic (lidocaine and prilocaine). CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that HAMIN® Lidocaine cream is suitable for cream preparation especially for topical application and it can be regarded as an achievement in palm oil and medical industries.

[Intractable intraoperative brain herniation secondary to tension pneumocephalus: a rare life-threatening complication during drainage of subdural empyema]. / Herniação cerebral intratável secundária a pneumoencéfalo hipertensivo no intraoperatório: uma complicação rara com risco para a vida durante a drenagem de empiema subdural.

Tension pneumocephalus is rare but has been well documented following trauma and neurosurgical procedures. It is a surgical emergency as it can lead to neurological deterioration, brainstem herniation and death. Unlike previous cases where tension pneumocephalus developed postoperatively, we describe a case of intraoperative tension pneumocephalus leading to sudden, massive open brain herniation out of the craniotomy site. The possible causative factors are outlined. It is imperative to rapidly identify possible causes of acute intraoperative brain herniation, including tension pneumocephalus, and institute appropriate measures to minimize neurological damage.

[Anesthesia in anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis - is general anesthesia a requisite? A case report]. / Anestesia em encefalite antirreceptor de N­metil­d­aspartato ­ a anestesia geral é um requisito? Relato de caso.

Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis is a recently described neurological disorder and an increasingly recognized cause of psychosis, movement disorders and autonomic dysfunction. We report 20-year-old Chinese female who presented with generalized tonic-clonic seizures, recent memory loss, visual hallucinations and abnormal behavior. Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis was diagnosed and a computed tomography scan of abdomen reviewed a left adnexal tumor. We describe the first such case report of a patient with anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis who was given a bilateral transversus abdominis plane block as the sole anesthetic for removal of ovarian tumor. We also discuss the anesthetic issues associated with anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis. As discovery of tumor and its removal is the focus of initial treatment in this group of patients, anesthetists will encounter more such cases in the near future.