Sharing primary percutaneous coronary intervention care: first experiences with South Limburg ST-elevation myocardial infarction network.

BACKGROUND: In the region of South Limburg, the Netherlands, a shared ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) networking system (SLIM network) was implemented. During out-of-office hours, two percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) centres-Maastricht University Medical Centre and Zuyderland Medical Centre-are supported by the same interventional cardiologist. The aim of this study was to analyse performance indicators within this network and to compare them with contemporary European Society of Cardiology guidelines. METHODS: Key time indicators for an all-comer STEMI population were registered by the emergency medical service and the PCI centres. The time measurements showed a non-Gaussian distribution; they are presented as median with 25th and 75th percentiles. RESULTS: Between 1 February 2018 and 31 March 2019, a total of 570 STEMI patients were admitted to the participating centres. The total system delay (from emergency call to needle time) was 65 min (53-77), with a prehospital system delay of 40 min (34-47) and a door-to-needle time of 22 min (15-34). Compared with in-office hours, out-of-office hours significantly lengthened system delays (55 (47-66) vs 70 min (62-81), p < 0.001), emergency medical service transport times (29 (24-34) vs 35 min (29-40), p < 0.001) and door-to-needle times (17 (14-26) vs 26 min (18-37), p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: With its effective patient pathway management, the SLIM network was able to meet the quality criteria set by contemporary European revascularisation guidelines.

Torsion of a mucocele of the veriform appendix: report of a case.

Mucocele of the appendix refers to an appendix that is distended by mucus and transformed in a mucus-filled sac. Appendicular torsion is rare. Primary and secondary forms of appendicular torsion are known. Our patient presented to the emergency department with complaints mimicking acute appendicitis. Imaging with computed tomography and ultrasound showed a cystic lesion most likely originating from the right ovary. The veriform appendix was located close to this lesion and seemed to be distended. During diagnostic laparoscopy, a torsion of the veriform appendix due to a mucocele was found and an appendectomy was performed. Histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis. Torsion of the vermiform appendix is most often diagnosed intra-operatively. Pre-operative radiologic imaging is often not useful in the detection of appendicular abnormalities other than acute appendicitis. The treatment consists of detorsion and appendectomy.

Adenocarcinoma Arising within a Colonic Diverticulum in a Patient with Recurrent Diverticulitis.

In 2006, while admitted in our hospital for surgical treatment of recurrent diverticulitis, a 54-year-old man was found to have an adenocarcinoma arising within a colonic diverticulum. Computed tomography, during this episode of diverticulitis, showed a thickened wall of the sigmoid and inflammatory induration of the pericolonic fat. Colonoscopy could be performed up to no more then 25 cm from the anus due to mucosal edema. A sigmoid resection was performed. Histopathological examination of the resected specimen showed an inflamed diverticulum with a submucosal adenocarcinoma of the intestinal type within its wall. The surrounding flat colonic mucosa was not involved by the cancerous process. Due to lymph node involvement the patient received adjuvant chemotherapy and remained disease free during follow up.

[Widespread preoperative hair removal in the southwest of The Netherlands despite an evidence-based guideline discouraging this practice]. / Wijdverbreide preoperatieve ontharing in Zuidwest-Nederland ondanks evidence-based ontmoediging.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the 1993 guideline from the Dutch Institute for Healthcare Improvement (CBO) is followed in the Southwest region of the Netherlands. The guideline states that preoperative hair removal serves no purpose in preventing wound infection. DESIGN: Inventory. METHOD: All surgical short-stay departments in the Southwest region of The Netherlands received a structured questionnaire on their management of preoperative hair removal. Questions included whether or not they had a hair removing protocol, which methods they used for removing hair and the timeframe within which preoperative hair removal usually was carried out. RESULTS: The response was 100% (24/24). The majority of surgical short-stay departments did practice preoperative hair removal (88%). Less than half of the hospitals use a hair removal protocol. Hair clippers were used for preoperative hair removal in most hospitals (86%) and in 71% the procedure was carried out within 2 hours of the planned operation and mostly by nursing staff (71%). No difference was found in hair removal management in hospitals with or without a protocol. CONCLUSION: Despite the existence of a published guideline that states that preoperative hair removal serves no purpose in preventing wound infection, the majority of hospitals in the Southwest region of the Netherlands do still carry out the practice as a routine action. The policy of hair removal management appears to depend on subjective feelings of individual surgeons. The existence ofan evidenced-based guideline does not appear to have much effect on this management.

Chemically modified tetracyclines stimulate matrix metalloproteinase-2 production by periodontal ligament cells.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of chemically modified tetracyclines (CMTs) on the production of gelatinases [matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9] by human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells, and on the activity of recombinant gelatinases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Human PDL cells were cultured with CMT-1, -3, -5, -7 or -8 in concentrations of 0, 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 microm. Gelatin zymography was used to determine MMP-2 and -9 production of the cells. The amount of DNA present in the cultures was analyzed using a fluorescent assay. The cytotoxicity of the CMTs was also determined. Recombinant human MMP-2 and -9 were incubated with the CMTs (0-500 microm) and their activity was analyzed using an internally quenched fluorogenic substrate. RESULTS: MMP-2 production was stimulated up to sevenfold by CMT-1, -3, -7 and -8 at low concentrations (10-200 microm). No significant amounts of MMP-9 were produced. In contrast, MMP-2 and -9 activity was reduced by approximately 10-40-fold at higher concentrations (200-500 microm). CMT-5 had no effect on the production or on the activity of MMP-2 and -9. Only CMT-3 and -8 had cytotoxic effects on the PDL cells at the highest concentrations. CONCLUSION: Surprisingly, CMTs are able to stimulate MMP-2 production at relatively low concentrations. However, at higher concentrations they exert a much stronger inhibitory effect on gelatinase activity. A possible stimulatory effect of CMTs on MMP production should be considered in their clinical use.

[Diagnostic image (305). A boy with a painful and swollen scrotum]. / Diagnose in beeld (305). Een jongen met een pijnlijk en gezwollen scrotum.

Left double testis was diagnosed in a 12-year-old boy with a painful and swollen scrotum.

The BWM spinal fixator system. A preliminary report of a 2-year prospective, international multicenter study in a range of indications requiring surgical intervention for bone grafting and pedicle screw fixation.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, international, multicenter study of 400 patients who received the BWM fixator system. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness and safety of the system in the management of various conditions requiring spinal fixation and bone grafting. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The BWM system was developed for the management of spinal instability of all etiologies occurring in the thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbosacral spine. METHODS: Patients with fracture, tumor, spondylolisthesis, spondylitis, failed back, or other degenerative conditions of the spine received the BWM instrumentation as described in the study literature and were regularly reviewed for 2 years. RESULTS: The results from the first 200 patients to complete the study showed an overall graft fusion rate of 94% (95% confidence interval: 91.3%-97.6%). There were marked improvements in measures of functional ability (P < 0.001, Wilcoxon test). Before surgery, less than half the patients were capable of outdoor activity. At 2 years, 80% were able to undertake outdoor activity. There were few perioperative difficulties reported. Postoperative complications associated with major surgery were seen in 18% patients. There were 23 (2.6%) pedicle screw failures, including two loosenings, and 13 (2.5%) spacer element failures, including three loosenings. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical failure was not necessarily a consequence of component failure. The BWM fixator provided excellent stabilization during the process of bone graft consolidation. The risks of complication or component failure were no higher than those associated with similar devices.