The effect of stretching exercises on the fibre angle of the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis oblique: an ultrasound study.

[Purpose] To investigate the effects of a seven-week quadriceps stretching program on the muscle fibre orientation of the vastus medialis oblique and vastus lateralis in the lower limbs by ultrasound imaging. [Participants and Methods] Twenty-seven healthy, physically fit, asymptomatic females and males (age 21.5 ± 1.3, Tegner activity level score ≥4) were recruited. Their initial vastus medialis oblique and vastus lateralis fibre angles were determined using ultrasound. They then undertook a seven-week quadriceps stretching program, 3 sets of stretches to be performed on both lower limbs, 3 times a week on 3 separate days. One volunteer was assigned as an intra-rater control and did not take part in the stretching program. The vastus lateralis and vastus medialis oblique fibre angles were measured again on completion of the exercise regime. [Results] A statistically significant decrease in muscle fibre angle was observed in both the right and left vastus medialis oblique, and the right and left vastus lateralis. [Conclusion] A 7-week stretching program can result in a significant decrease in muscle fibre angle in both the vastus medialis oblique and the vastus lateralis. This can help in understanding the effects of prescribed stretching exercises on athletic patients with PFP.

A systematic review of symptomatic small bowel lipomas of the jejunum and ileum.

INTRODUCTION: Small bowel lipomas are rarely encountered benign adipose growths found within the small intestine wall or mesentery. Limited up-to-date evidence exists regarding such lipomas. We aim to aid clinical decision-making and improve patient outcomes through this comprehensive review. METHODOLOGY: The terms 'small bowel,' 'small intestine,' 'jejunum' and 'ileum' were combined with 'lipoma.' EMBASE, Medline and PubMed database searches were performed. All papers published in English from 01/01/2000-31/12/2019 were included. Simple statistical analysis (t-test, Anova) was performed. RESULTS: 142 papers yielded 147 cases (adults = 138, pediatric = 9). Male = 88, female = 59 (average age = 49.9 years). Presenting symptoms: abdominal pain = 68.7%; nausea/vomiting = 35.3%, hematochezia/GI bleeding = 33.3%; anaemia = 10.9%; abdominal distension = 12.2%; constipation = 8.9%; weight loss = 7.5%. Mean preceding symptom length = 58.1 days (symptoms >1 year excluded (n = 9)). Diagnostic imaging utilised: abdominal X-Ray = 33.3%; endoscopy = 46.3%; CT = 78.2%; ultrasound = 23.8%. 124/137 (90.5%) required definitive surgical management (laparotomy = 89, laparoscopcic = 35). 9 patients were successfully managed endoscopically. Lipoma location: ileum = 59.9%, jejunum = 32%, mesentery = 4.8%. Maximal recorded lipoma size ranged 1.2-22 cm.Mean maximum lipoma diameter and management strategy comparison: laparotomy 5.6 cm, laparoscopic = 4.4 cm, endoscopic = 3.7 cm, conservative = 4.5 cm. One-way Anova test, p value = 0.21. Average length of stay (LOS) was 7.4 days (range = 2-30). T-test p value = 0.13 when comparing management modalities and LOS. 4 complications, 0 mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Important previously undocumented points are illustrated; a clearer symptom profile, diagnostic investigations utilised, size and site of lipomas, types and effectiveness of management modalities, associated morbidity and mortality. Open surgery remains the primary management. No statistically significant difference in LOS and lipoma size is demonstrated between management strategies. Endoscopic and laparoscopic techniques may reduce utilising invasive surgery in the future as skillset and availability improve.

Major trauma: Does weekend attendance increase 30-day mortality?

BACKGROUND: Differing mortality rates according to day of hospital admission is an area of debate, where a supposed increased rate of mortality with weekend admissions has been termed "the weekend effect". We sought to identify the 30-day mortality rates in major trauma patients attending our Major Trauma Centre (MTC) and the underlying reasons for these. METHODS: A retrospective review of data retrieved from the Trauma Audit and Research Network (TARN) database was undertaken for all patients attending between January 2013 and July 2015 with an Injury Severity Score of 9 or higher. 30-day mortality rates were calculated according to day of attendance. RESULTS: 1424 patients met the inclusion criteria. There was no significant difference in 30-day mortality between weekend attendances (7.8%) compared to those on a weekday (7.7%). 30-day mortality was highest in patients attending on Fridays (10.8%) and lowest in those attending on Sundays (5.5%). A significantly higher 30-day mortality rate was seen in patients attending on a Friday or Saturday (10.4%) compared to those attending Sunday to Thursday (6.6%) (RR 1.548). Patients with a head injury as their most serious injury on a Friday or Saturday were more likely to have GCS < 9 (34.7% vs 24.4%) and more likely to die (22.7% vs 12%) than those attending Sunday to Thursday. CONCLUSION: There is no significant difference in 30-day mortality when directly comparing weekday to weekend attendances. There is a significantly higher mortality on Friday and Saturday compared to remainder of the week which appears to be explained by a greater severity of head trauma. IMPLICATIONS: This study provides no evidence of a "weekend effect" in this MTC but the increased severity of and mortality from head injury identified on Friday and Saturday is a public health concern which warrants further investigation.