ABSTRACT
Total scalp avulsion injury with cervical spine injury is rare. This article is to describe the technical difficulties and precautions to be taken during anatomical replantation. The patients with cervical spine injury should not be considered as an absolute contraindication for anatomical replant if patients are fit for general anaesthesia. We found that the supratrochlear and supraorbital vessels which are anterior and superficial temporal vessels which are lateral can be used to replant without much technical difficulty. We conclude that anatomical replant is always better keeping in mind the technical limitations of anatomical replant in case of cervical spine injury.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To study parental perspectives on re/habilitation services offered for pediatric cochlear implant (CI) users at a non-profit organization in India. METHODOLOGY: A non-standardized questionnaire comprising 46 items was created to understand perspectives of parents of pediatric CI users. Questions were designed to examine re/habilitation services from the angles of service delivery, parental stress levels, reasons for delay in obtaining services, sources of emotional support, concerns, and fears during each stage starting from diagnosis of hearing loss to CI surgery, re/habilitation services and parents' views of their children post-CI. The questionnaire was posed to 30 parents and responses were recorded and coded. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Qualitative and quantitative analyses based on parents' responses identified several factors that significantly influenced parental perspectives during each stage. The major factors delaying the decision to go for CI included a fear of surgery, lack of funds for CI and the subsequent re/habilitation process, and limited knowledge. Key concerns were the child's academic performance and social acceptance. Familial support played an important role during each stage. A significant reduction in the parental stress levels was observed following CI surgery. Parents indicated that local support for therapy, financial assistance and better guidance at each stage would substantially help in lowering stress levels. CONCLUSIONS: The parental perspectives analyzed in this study can be utilized towards improving the quality of service delivery in terms of parental satisfaction and outcomes post-CI. Efforts should be taken to improve parental awareness, funding options, and access to re/habilitation services and social networks connecting similar parents.