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OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of a modified Lichtenstein Repair combined with Herniorrhaphy in reducing postoperative chronic pain and enhancing recovery and quality of life in inguinal hernia patients. METHODS: This retrospective study, conducted at the Taleghani training center between January 2021 and February 2023, retrospectively examined 289 hernia surgeries, of which 130 employed a modified Lichtenstein technique. The investigation encompassed a detailed analysis of patient demographics, employed surgical techniques, operative methods with a focus on minimal dissection, and an evaluation of postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: In this study of 289 participants, primarily males aged 60-80 years, the modified technique group demonstrated a notably lower incidence of hernia recurrence (1.5%) compared to the Lichtenstein group (3.1%). Additionally, the modified technique was more effective in reducing postoperative pain, with a significantly lower mean Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score of 0.15, compared to 0.31 in the Lichtenstein group. This suggests enhanced patient comfort and a potentially quicker recovery in the modified technique group. CONCLUSION: The modified Lichtenstein hernioplasty technique, characterized by minimal tissue trauma and precise mesh placement, emerges as an effective approach in inguinal hernia repair. It offers significant benefits in reducing postoperative discomfort and chronic pain, thereby enhancing patient recovery and overall quality of life. This method aligns with current surgical trends towards patient-centric and minimally invasive procedures.

Asunto(s)

Dolor Crónico , Hernia Inguinal , Herniorrafia , Dolor Postoperatorio , Calidad de Vida , Mallas Quirúrgicas , Humanos , Masculino , Estudios Retrospectivos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Anciano , Herniorrafia/métodos , Hernia Inguinal/cirugía , Femenino , Dolor Crónico/etiología , Dolor Crónico/epidemiología , Dolor Crónico/prevención & control , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Dolor Postoperatorio/etiología , Dolor Postoperatorio/prevención & control , Dolor Postoperatorio/epidemiología , Adulto , Resultado del Tratamiento , Recurrencia , Dimensión del Dolor

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Background: Clinical reasoning and evidence-based medicine (EBM) are important concepts in modern medicine. Objective: We performed this study to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) status toward clinical reasoning and EBM among the medical interns and gynecology resident physicians of Iran University of Medical Sciences and related factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study (Tehran, Iran, first half of 2022) was conducted based on two researcher-made questionnaires consisting of three components for each including clinical reasoning attitude (CR-A), clinical reasoning knowledge (CR-K), clinical reasoning practice (CR-P), EBM attitude (EBM-A), EBM knowledge (EBM-K), and EBM practice (EBM-P). The related factors were age, gender, educational level, score of general practice education, having research experience, and general practice experience. Results: A total of 60 individuals participated. The mean score was good for CR-A, moderate for CR-K, moderate for CR-P, good for EBM-A, moderate for EBM-K, and moderate for EBM-P. The total score was moderate in both clinical reasoning and EBM. Among the related factors, CR-P was associated with higher educational levels and having experience in general practice (P < 0.05). Research experience was associated with better CR-K and all KAP components for EBM (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The total score and many of the KAP components had moderate status for clinical reasoning and EBM. Planning on the associated factors should be regarded in the future. Such questionnaires are suggested to be validated for use in quasi-experimental studies.

Asunto(s)

Medicina Basada en la Evidencia , Ginecología , Humanos , Medicina Basada en la Evidencia/educación , Estudios Transversales , Irán , Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Razonamiento Clínico , Actitud del Personal de Salud

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This research aims to fill a vital gap in existing studies by evaluating the efficacy and safety of Apixaban, a direct oral anticoagulant, in the prevention of arteriovenous graft (AVG) thrombosis, thereby offering substantial insights into alternative anticoagulant options for hemodialysis patients. Conducted as a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, this study involved end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients who had recently received polytetrafluoroethylene grafts. Participants were assigned to receive either Apixaban at a dose of 2.5 mg twice daily or a placebo. The primary outcome measure was the occurrence of graft thrombosis, while secondary outcomes focused on the incidence and severity of bleeding. Analytical methods included Kaplan-Meier estimates, Cox proportional hazards models, and conventional statistical tests. With 96 patients enrolled, the study found that Apixaban significantly reduced the incidence of AVG thrombosis compared to placebo (16.7% vs. 62.5%, P < 0.0001). Notably, this reduction in thrombosis incidence was not accompanied by an increase in bleeding events, thus affirming the safety profile of Apixaban as established in prior research. Apixaban is identified as an efficacious alternative to traditional anticoagulants in the prevention of AVG thrombosis among hemodialysis patients, representing a notable advancement in the care of individuals with ESRD. The results of this study support further investigations into the optimal dosing strategies specifically tailored for this patient demographic.

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Background: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that prompts immediate potent treatment. Delaying treatment could leave debilitating sequelae. As erythropoietin (EPO) has shown neuroprotective effects, we studied the effects of adding EPO to intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) in patients with acute attacks of NMOSD. Methods: NMOSD cases with acute attacks were included. Cases of optic neuritis (ON) and those with myelitis were separated. After randomization [with block sizes of 2 (1:1 ratio)], the patients in the intervention group received IVMP 1000 mg/day and intravenous (IV) EPO 20000 U/day for five days. IVMP 1000 mg/day and normal saline (NS) were administered in the control group. Staged eye score and motor forces were evaluated in the patients with ON and myelitis, respectively, at the time of the attack and three months later. Primary patient allocation and clinical assessments were blinded to the physicians. Results: Mean age of participants was 53.87 ± 11.53 years. At follow-up, in the ON arm, the median improvement in staged eye score was 2 in the control and 5 in the intervention group. The difference was significant (P < 0.001). In the myelitis group, none of the patients in the control group had improvement in motor forces. All the patients in the intervention group showed substantial improvement with minimal or no remaining weakness. The difference was statistically significant (P = 0.029). Conclusion: The results show the possible benefit of adding EPO to the classic IVMP in attacks of NMOSD in both visual and motor aspects.

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Background: Effectiveness of various exercise protocols in weight reduction after bariatric surgery has not been sufficiently explored in the literature. Thus, in the present study, we aimed at comparing the effect of minimally supervised home-based and closely supervised gym-based exercise programs on weight reduction and insulin resistance after bariatric surgery. Methods: Females undergoing gastric bypass surgery were invited to participate in an exercise program and were randomly allocated into 2 groups using a random number generator in Excel. They were either offered a minimally supervised home-based (MSHB) or closely supervised gym-based (CSGB) exercise program. The CSGB protocol constitutes 2 weekly training sessions under ACSM guidelines. In the MSHB protocol, the participants received a notebook containing a list of recommended aerobic and resistance exercises, a log to record their activity, and a schedule of follow-up phone calls and clinic visits. Both groups received a pedometer. We measured their weight, BMI, lipid profile, FBS, and insulin level at baseline and at 20 weeks after the exercises, the results of which were compared using t test or Mann-Whitney U test at the end of the study. All the processes were observed by 1 senior resident in sport medicine. Results: A total of 80 patients were recruited who were all able to complete our study (MSHB= 38 and CSGB= 42). The baseline comparison revealed that the 2 groups were similar. The mean change (reduction) in BMI was slightly better in CSGB (8.61 95% CI 7.76-9.45) compared with the MSHB (5.18 95% CI 3.91-6.46); p< 0.01. However, the 2 groups did not have a statistically significant difference in the amount of change in the other factors including FBS and Homa.ir. Conclusion: As we expected a non-inferiority result, our results showed that both MSHB and CSGB exercise methods are somewhat equally effective in improving lipid profile and insulin resistance in the 2 groups, but a slightly better effect on BMI was observed in CSGB group. With considerably lower costs of minimally supervised home- based exercise programs, both methods should be considered when there is lack of adequate funding.