A randomized double-blind controlled proof-of-concept study of alanyl-glutamine for reduction of post-myomectomy adhesions.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that intraperitoneal instillation of a single bolus dose of l-alanyl-l-glutamine (AG) will reduce the incidence, extent and/or severity of adhesions following myomectomy and establish preliminary safety and tolerability of AG in humans. DESIGN: Phase 1,2 Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (DBRCT). SETTING: Tertiary care gynecology surgical centre. PATIENTS: Thirty-eight women who underwent myomectomies by laparoscopy (N = 38; AG-19 vs Placebo-19) or laparotomy (N = 10; AG-5 vs Placebo-5) with a scheduled second-look laparoscopy (SLL) 6-8 weeks later. Thirty-two patients in the laparoscopy arm completed SLL. INTERVENTIONS: Bolus dose of AG or normal saline solution control (0.9% NaCl) administered intraperitoneally immediately prior to suture closure of the laparoscopic ports. The average dose was 170 mL of AG or control based on a dosing scheme of 1 g/kg bodyweight. MEASUREMENTS: Digital recordings obtained for all procedures. The primary endpoint was reduction in the incidence, severity and extent of post-operative adhesions analyzed by intention-to-treat (ITT) approach. Three independent, blinded reviewers evaluated all operative video recordings to assess presence of adhesions. Post-hoc analysis assessed presence or absence of adhesions in the peritoneal cavity. Secondary endpoints assessed safety and tolerability of AG. MAIN RESULTS: Administration of AG reduced the incidence, severity and/or extent of post-operative adhesions (p = 0.046). The presence of adhesions in the AG group was lower than in the Control group (p = 0.041). Adhesion improvement was achieved in 15 of 15 (100%) in the AG group versus 5 of 17 (29.6%) in the placebo group. No serious adverse events were reported. No differences in safety parameters were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Intraperitoneal l-alanyl-l-glutamine reduced adhesion formation in all patients following laparoscopic myomectomy. Complete absence of adhesions was achieved at all abdominal sites in 93% of patients. Results confirm AG's known effects on cellular mechanisms of adhesiogenesis and lay the foundation for new adhesion prophylaxis research and treatment.

Evidence-based review of methods used to reduce pain after excisional hemorrhoidectomy / Revisão baseada em evidências de métodos utilizados para reduzir a dor após hemorrroidectomia excisional

ABSTRACT Background: Excisional hemorrhoidectomy is one of the most commonly performed anorectal procedures. Despite the satisfactory outcomes of excisional hemorrhoidectomy, the pain perceived by the patients following the procedure can be a distressing sequel. This review aimed to search the current literature for the existing evidence on how to avoid or minimize the severity of post-hemorrhoidectomy pain. Methods: An organized literature search was performed using electronic databases including PubMed/Medline and Google Scholar service for the articles that evaluated different methods for pain relief after excisional hemorrhoidectomy. Then, the studies were summarized in a narrative way illustrating the hypothesis and the outcomes of each study. The methods devised to reduce pain after excisional hemorrhoidectomy were classified into three main categories: technical tips; systemic and topical agents; and surgical methods. The efficacy of each method was highlighted along the level of evidence supporting it. Results: Stronger evidence (level Ia) supported LigaSure hemorrhoidectomy and the use of glyceryl trinitrate ointment to be associated with significant pain relief after excisional hemorrhoidectomy whereas the remaining methods were supported by lower level of evidence (level Ib). Conclusion: The use of LigaSure in performing excisional hemorrhoidectomy and the application of topical glyceryl trinitrate ointment contributed to remarkable relief of postoperative pain after excisional hemorrhoidectomy according to the highest level of evidence. Perhaps a multimodality strategy that combines systemic and topical agents can be the optimal method for control of pain after excisional hemorrhoidectomy, yet further prospective trials are required to draw such conclusion.

RESUMO Introdução: A hemorroidectomia excisional (HE) é um dos procedimentos anorretais mais comumente realizados. Apesar dos resultados satisfatórios da hemorroidectomia excisional, a dor percebida pelos pacientes após o procedimento pode ser uma sequela angustiante. Esta revisão teve como objetivo buscar na literatura atual as evidências existentes sobre como evitar ou minimizar a gravidade da dor pós-hemorroidectomia. Métodos: Uma busca organizada da literatura foi realizada usando bancos de dados eletrônicos, incluindo PubMed/Medline e Google Scholar, para os artigos que avaliaram diferentes métodos para o alívio da dor após hemorroidectomia excisional. Em seguida, os estudos foram resumidos de forma narrativa, ilustrando a hipótese e os resultados de cada estudo. Os métodos desenvolvidos para reduzir a dor após a hemorroidectomia excisional foram classificados em três categorias principais: dicas técnicas; agentes sísticos e ticos; e métodos cirúrgicos. A eficácia de cada método foi destacada ao longo do nível de evidência que a suporta. Resultados: Evidências mais fortes (nível Ia) apoiaram a hemorroidectomia de LigaSure e o uso de pomada de trinitrato de glicerila para ser associado com alívio significativo da dor após hemorroidectomia excisional, enquanto os métodos restantes foram apoiados por menor nível de evidência (nível Ib). Conclusão: O uso de LigaSure na realização de hemorroidectomia excisional e a aplicação de pomada tópica de gliceril trinitrato contribuíram para o notável alívio da dor pós-operatória após hemorroidectomia excisional, de acordo com o maior nível de evidência. Talvez uma estratégia multimodal que combine agentes sistêmicos e tópicos possa ser o método ideal para o controle da dor após hemorroidectomia excisional, mas ainda são necessários mais estudos prospectivos para chegar a essa conclusão.

OBSERVATION AND COMPARISON OF MEALTIME BEHAVIORS IN A SAMPLE OF CHILDREN WITH AVOIDANT/RESTRICTIVE FOOD INTAKE DISORDERS AND A CONTROL SAMPLE OF CHILDREN WITH TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT.

Despite widespread use of behavioral observations to evaluate child feeding behaviors in research and clinical practice, few studies have comprehensively characterized mealtimes or identified features that differentiate children with and without disordered feeding; these were the aims of the current study. Mealtime observations were conducted for 18 children with avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and 21 typically developing children. Observations were coded inductively, and associations between disorder and observed mealtime actions were examined. Most behaviors were observed across both clinical and nonclinical mealtimes, and many did not differ in frequency between children with and without ARFID. However, significant group differences were observed in the frequencies of behaviors relating to food intake, visual and physical engagement with feeding, and movement during mealtimes. The comparability of behaviors across clinical and nonclinical groups suggests that eating behaviors exist on a continuum from "normal" to "abnormal," with group differences relating to frequency rather than type of behavior. The behavioral differences observed in this study suggest that identification of children with ARFID should focus on child engagement with food and restlessness during mealtimes. Reliance on emotional and escape-maintained behaviors will lead to underrecognition of families in need of clinical support.

Alternativas de tratamiento en pacientes con patologías neuromusculares y afecciones respiratorias / Treatment alternatives in patients with neuromuscular pathologies and respiratory diseases

Los avances tecnológicos y los cuidados respiratorios no invasivos en el tratamiento de las afecciones respiratorias en pacientes con patologías neuromusculares han contribuido a una mejor calidad de vida y sobrevida de los pacientes con enfermedades neuromusculares. Además de la capacitación de los pacientes y sus cuidadores para facilitar la estadía de los mismos en el hogar sin depender de instituciones o cuidados de enfermería permanentes y promoviendo la autonomía e integración. El objetivo de este artículo es realizar una revisión de las estrategias y tratamientos brindados a los pacientes con enfermedades neuromusculares y afecciones respiratorias. Resulta esencial que los profesionales de la salud, conozcan todas las opciones terapéuticas posibles para ofrecer a sus pacientes y sus familias, de modo que a medida que la enfermedad avance ellos puedan expresar sus voluntades en forma anticipada y sin apremios derivados de eventos "inesperados". Además es necesario impulsar un cambio de paradigma en la forma en que los profesionales de la salud ven a estos individuos.

Technological advances and proper training for patients with neuromuscular diseases and respiratory problem, including their caregivers, facilitate their stay at home and promote their autonomy and integration, without depending on hospices or permanent nursing care. The objective of this article is to review all the strategies and treatment offered to the patients with neuromuscular diseases. It is essential for health care professionals to know all the therapeutic possibilities offering for their patients and their families, so as the disease progresses it would facilitate the conscious decision-making. Also it is necessary to promote a paradigm shift in the way health professionals approach to individuals with neuromuscular diseases.

SECURE BASE SCRIPT CONTENT EXPLAINS THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ATTACHMENT AVOIDANCE AND EMOTION-RELATED CONSTRUCTS IN PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN.

The secure base script (SBS) framework is one method of assessing implicit internal working models of attachment; recently, researchers have applied this method to analyze narratives regarding relationship experiences. This study examines the associations between attachment avoidance and SBS content when parents recall a positive moment of connection between themselves and their children (relational savoring) as well as their association with parental emotion and reflective functioning (RF). Using a sample of parents (N = 155, 92% female) of young children (53% boys, Mage = 12.76 months), we found that parental attachment avoidance is inversely associated with SBS content during relational savoring, and that SBS content is an indirect effect explaining the association between attachment avoidance and postsavoring (positive and negative) emotion as well as avoidance and poststressor RF. Findings have implications for understanding attachment and parenting.