Impact of Adjuvant Radiotherapy on Free Flap Volume in Autologous Breast Reconstruction: A Scoping Review.

In autologous breast reconstruction, a sufficient flap volume is fundamental to restore breast shape and ensure an aesthetic outcome. After mastectomy, postoperative irradiation is regularly indicated in the oncological treatment algorithm. When administering radiation therapy after autologous reconstruction, the tissue transferred is inherently irradiated. Although there is evidence that points to a reduction in flap volume after adjuvant radiotherapy, the data have been contradicting and inconclusive. To address this anecdotal evidence, we performed a scoping review of the current literature that addresses the effect of radiotherapy on breast flap volume. Six two-armed studies, comprising a total of 462 patients, reported on the effect of adjuvant radiotherapy on free flap volume changes. Of those, two studies found a significant negative impact of radiotherapy on free flap volume, while the other four studies did not. Reported flap volume changes ranged from no change to a reduction of 26.2%, measured up to two years postoperatively. The selected studies contain varying patient numbers, follow-up timepoints, types of flaps, and measuring methods, contributing to a relatively high heterogeneity. While we present some evidence suggesting a significant impact of adjuvant radiotherapy on breast flap volume, future studies are needed to further investigate this potential correlation.

Relevance of pleural adhesions for short- and long-term outcomes after lung volume reduction surgery.

Objective: Pleural adhesions (PLAs) have been shown to be a possible risk factor for air leak after lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS), but the relevance of PLA for lung function outcome remains unclear. We analyzed our LVRS cohort for the influence of PLA on short-term (ie, prolonged air leak) and long-term outcomes. Methods: Retrospective observational cohort study with 187 consecutive patients who underwent LVRS from January 2016 to December 2019. PLA were defined as relevant if they were distributed extensively at the dorsal pleura; were present in at least at 2 areas, including the dorsal pleura; or present extensively at the mediastinal pleura. In patients with bilateral emphysema, bilateral LVRS was performed preferentially. The objectives were to quantify the association of PLA and rate of prolonged air leak (chest tube >7 days), and the association of PLA with postoperative exacerbations and with forced expiratory volume in 1 second 3 months postoperatively. The associations were quantified with odds ratios for binary outcomes, and with between-group differences for continuous outcomes. To account for missing observations, 100-fold multiple imputation was used. Results: PLAs were found in 46 of 187 patients (24.6%). There was a 32.6% rate of prolonged air leak (n = 61), mean chest tube time was 7.84 days. A total of 94 (50.3%) LVRSs were unilateral and 93 were bilateral. There was evidence for an association between PLA and the rate of prolonged air leak (odds ratio, 2.83; 95% CI, 1.36 to 5.89; P = .006). There was no evidence for an association between PLA and postoperative exacerbations (odds ratio, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.5 to 2.45; P = .79). There was no evidence for an association between PLA and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (estimate -1.52; 95% CI -5.67 to 2.63; P = .47). Both unilateral and bilateral LVRS showed significant postoperative improvements in forced expiratory volume in 1 second by 27% (8.43 units; 95% CI, 3.66-13.12; P = .0006) and by 28% (7.87 units; 95% CI, 4.68-11.06; P < .0001) and a reduction in residual volume of 15% (-33.9 units; 95% CI, -56.37 to -11.42; P = .003) and 15% (-34.9 units; 95% CI, -52.57 to -17.22; P = .0001), respectively. Conclusions: Patients should be aware of potential prolongation of hospitalization due to PLA. However, there might be no relevant influence of PLA on lung function outcomes.

[Early discharge and postpartum home visit during the COVID-19 pandemic at the HULP (Madrid).] / Alta precoz y visita domiciliaria puerperal durante la pandemia por la COVID-19 en el Hospital Universitario La Paz (Madrid).

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic caused that the Health Department of the Autonomous Region of Madrid redirected the Obstetrics, Gynecology and Neonatology emergency care. On March 24th 2020, the HULP launched a program of postpartum early discharge and home visit. The objective of this work was to detect if the care strategy "Voluntary early discharge and home visit by the midwife (2nd year EIR)" applied by the HULP during the COVID-19 pandemic had any adverse effect on the woman and/or the newborn. METHODS: Cross-sectional observational descriptive study using convenience sampling among women included in the early discharge-home visit program from March 24th to May 5th 2020. 222 medical records and telephone surveys to postpartum women who complied with the inclusion criteria were analyzed. The statistical analysis was performed using SAS 9.4. RESULTS: The average of inpatient time was 25 hours and 15 minutes. 8.6% of newborns were sent back to the HULP, and 2.2% were readmitted for hyperbilirubinemia. 2.3% of parents took their infants to the Emergency Care Unit, but only 0.46% needed readmission. 0.4% of postpartum women were readmitted. At the discharge, 84.2% of newborns exclusively breastfed. After one week of the birth, 73.4% of infants were exclusively breastfeeding, 18% were mixed breastfeeding, and 8.6% were bottle feeding. 89.6% of women believed early discharge was appropriate. Home visit was described as "very satisfactory" in 83.3% of cases, and the care provided, in 88.7% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: With the early discharge-home visit program, continuity of care is provided, health problems were detected and resolved and high maternal satisfaction levels were obtained.

OBJETIVO: La pandemia por la COVID-19 motivó que la Consejería de Sanidad de la Comunidad de Madrid reorganizara la atención urgente de Obstetricia-Ginecología y Neonatología. El 24/03/2020 se inicia en el Hospital Universitario La Paz (HULP) un programa de alta precoz posparto y visita domiciliaria. El objetivo de este estudio fue detectar si la estrategia de "alta precoz voluntaria y visita domiciliaria por la residente de matrona" aplicada por el HULP durante la pandemia por la COVID-19 tuvo algún efecto adverso en puérpera y/o recién nacido (RN). METODOS: Estudio observacional descriptivo transversal, con muestreo de conveniencia en mujeres incluidas en el programa de alta precoz voluntaria-visita domiciliaria entre 24/03/2020 y 5/05/2020. Se analizaron 222 historias clínicas y cuestionarios telefónicos de puérperas que cumplieron los criterios de selección. El análisis estadístico se realizó con el programa SAS-9.4. RESULTADOS: La media de estancia hospitalaria fue de 25h 15min. Derivaron al HULP a 8,6% neonatos, ingresando un 2,2% por hiperbilirrubinemia. El 2,3% de padres con sus neonatos acudieron a urgencias, ingresando el 0,46%. El 0,4% de puérperas precisó reingreso. Al alta, el 84,2% de RN tomaban lactancia materna exclusiva (LME). A la semana, el 73,4% de RN estaban con LME, el 18% con lactancia mixta y el 8,6% con lactancia artificial. El 89,6% consideró adecuada el alta precoz. Percibieron como "muy satisfactoria" la visita domiciliaria un 83,3%, y la atención profesional recibida un 88,7%. CONCLUSIONES: Con el alta precoz-visita domiciliaria se ofrece continuidad de cuidados, detectando y resolviendo problemas, manteniendo un alto grado de satisfacción materna.

Basic life support training programme in schools by school nurses: How long and how often to train?

BACKGROUND: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training in schools, despite being legislated in Spain, is not established as such within the subjects that children are taught in schools. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the acquisition of CPR skills by 11-year-old children after a brief theoretical-practical teaching programme taught by nurses at school. METHODS: 62 students were assessed in a quasi-experimental study on 2 cohorts (51.4% of the sample in control group [CG]). In total, 2 sessions were given, a theoretical one, and a practical training for skill development in children, in which the CG performed the CPR in 2-minute cycles and the intervention group in 1-minute cycles. The anthropometric variables recorded were weight and height, and the variables compression quality and ventilation quality were recorded using the Laerdal ResusciAnne manikin with Personal Computer/Wireless SkillReport. RESULTS: The assessment showed better results, in terms of BLS sequence performance and use of automated external defibrillator, in the CG and after training, except for the evaluation of the 10-second breathing assessment technique. The quality of chest compressions was better in the CG after training, as was the quality of the ventilations. There were no major differences in CPR quality after training and 4 months after the 1-minute and 2-minute training cycles. CONCLUSIONS: 11-year-old children do not perform quality chest compressions or ventilations but, considering their age, they are able to perform a BLS sequence correctly.

Acquisition of Knowledge and Practical Skills after a Brief Course of BLS-AED in First-Year Students in Nursing and Physiotherapy at a Spanish University.

Out-of-hospital cardiorespiratory arrest is one of the leading causes of death in the Western world. Early assistance with quality Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the use of a defibrillator may increase the percentage of survival after this process. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of CPR training and the management of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED). A descriptive, cross-sectional, observational study was carried out among students in the first year of a Nursing and Physiotherapy degree of the University of León. To achieve this goal, a theoretical-practical educational intervention of four hours' duration which included training on CPR, AED and Basic Life Support (BLS) was carried out. A total of 112 students were included. The results showed an increase in theoretical knowledge on BLS as well as on CPR and AED, and practical skills in CPR and AED management. A theoretical exposition of fifteen minutes and the practical training of CPR wasenough for the students to acquire the necessary theoretical knowledge, although the participants failed to reach quality criteria in CPR. Only 35.6% of students reached the right depth in compressions. Also, ventilation was not performed properly. Based on the results, we cannot determine that the percentage of overall quality of CPR was appropriate, since 57.6% was obtained in this respect and experts establish a value higher than 70% for quality CPR. There was a clear relationship between sex, weight, height and body max index (BMI), and quality CPR performance, being determinant variables to achieve quality parameters. Currently, Basic Life Support training in most universities is based on training methods similar to those used in the action described. The results obtained suggest implementing other training methods that favour the acquisition of quality CPR skills.