Impact of Telerehabilitation for Stroke-Related Deficits.

Background: Stroke is the leading cause of serious long-term disability in the United States. Barriers to rehabilitation include cost, transportation, lack of trained personnel, and equipment. Telerehabilitation (TR) has emerged as a promising modality to reduce costs, improve accessibility, and retain patient independence. TR allows providers to remotely administer therapy, potentially increasing access to underserved regions. Objectives: To describe types of stroke rehabilitation therapy delivered through TR and to evaluate whether TR is as effective as traditional in-person outpatient therapy in improving satisfaction and poststroke residual deficits such as motor function, speech, and disability. Methods: A literature search of the term "telerehabilitation and stroke" was conducted across three databases. Full-text articles with results pertaining to TR interventions were reviewed. Articles were scored for methodological quality using the PEDro scale. Results: Thirty-four articles with 1,025 patients were included. Types of TR included speech therapy, virtual reality (VR), robotic, community-based, goal setting, and motor training exercises. Frequently measured outcomes included motor function, speech, disability, and satisfaction. All 34 studies reported improvement from baseline after TR therapy. PEDro scores ranged from 2 to 8 with a mean of 4.59 ± 1.94 (on a scale of 0-10). Studies with control interventions, randomized allocation, and blinded assessment had significantly higher PEDro scores. All 15 studies that compared TR with traditional therapy showed equivalent or better functional outcomes. Home-based robotic therapy and VR were less costly than in-person therapy. Patient satisfaction with TR and in-person clinical therapy was similar. Conclusions: TR is less costly and equally as effective as clinic-based rehabilitation at improving functional outcomes in stroke patients. TR produces similar patient satisfaction. TR can be combined with other therapies, including VR, speech, and robotic assistance, or used as an adjuvant to direct in-person care.

Postoperative Stomach Volvulus and Pancreatitis Following a Sleeve Gastrectomy.

The laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is the most common bariatric surgery performed to promote weight loss and improve obesity-related comorbidities. As the number of patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy increases, so does the prevalence of complications. It is crucial to recognize both common and unusual complications of sleeve gastrectomy to properly diagnose and manage them. We present a unique case of gastric outlet obstruction not visualized on initial imaging and acute pancreatitis following a sleeve gastrectomy. We recommend performing an endoscopy and ordering serum lipase levels in a patient with negative CT scans but persistent postoperative nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The management of postoperative gastric outlet obstruction includes supportive care, balloon dilation of the stenotic area, or gastric bypass if symptoms persist.

Utilization, Utility, and Variability in Usage of Adjunctive Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Spinal Management: A Review of the Literature.

The objective of this review was to understand the clinical utilization, utility, and variability in the usage of adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Surgical site infection is associated with high morbidity and mortality, increased health care expenditure, and decreased quality of life. With the increasing prevalence of adult spinal deformity and spinal fusion surgery, it is imperative to understand the potential benefits of adjunctive treatments. HBOT is a safe and common procedure indicated to treat various medical conditions. We conducted a literature search across 3 databases for English articles published between December 1, 2019 and December 1, 2000. Thirteen studies were included. HBOT may lessen the duration of antimicrobial therapy and mitigate instrument removal and revision surgery. The current usage indications for HBOT are supported by level III evidence for chronic osteomyelitis and level IV evidence for osteoradionecrosis. However, the same level of evidence exists to support the beneficial use of adjunctive HBOT for noncomplicated spinal infections within 2 months after surgery. When cultured, the most common organisms were Staphylococcus aureus and other low-virulence organisms. The most common treatment protocol consists of 90-minute sessions of 100% Fio2 at 2-3 atmosphere absolute with a mean of 35.3 ± 11.6 sessions for 5.2 ± 1.4 weeks. Adjunctive HBOT should be considered in select high-risk patients. Further improvements in diagnosis and categorization of spinal infections are necessary and will indelibly aid the decision making for the initiation of HBOT.