2017

Partial-breast radiotherapy after breast conservation surgery for patients with early breast cancer (UK IMPORT LOW trial): 5-year results from a multicentre, randomised, controlled, phase 3, non-inferiority trial (2017)

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Type of publication:
Randomised controlled trial

Author(s):
Charlotte E Coles, Clare L Griffin, Anna M Kirby, Jenny Titley, *Rajiv K Agrawal, Abdulla Alhasso, Indrani S Bhattacharya, Adrian M Brunt, Laura Ciurlionis, Charlie Chan, Ellen M Donovan, Marie A Emson, Adrian N Harnett, Joanne S Haviland, Penelope Hopwood, Monica L Jefford, Ronald Kaggwa, Elinor J Sawyer, Isabel Syndikus, Yat M Tsang, Duncan A Wheatley, Maggie Wilcox, John R Yarnold, Judith M Bliss, on behalf of the IMPORT Trialists

Citation:
Lancet, Sep 2017; vol. 390 (no. 10099); p. 1048-1060

Abstract:
Local cancer relapse risk after breast conservation surgery followed by radiotherapy has fallen sharply in many countries, and is influenced by patient age and clinicopathological factors. We hypothesise that partial-breast radiotherapy restricted to the vicinity of the original tumour in women at lower than average risk of local relapse will improve the balance of beneficial versus adverse effects compared with whole-breast radiotherapy.

Link to full-text [Open access]

The SGLT2 inhibitors - where are we now? (2017)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
*Morris, David

Citation:
Journal of Diabetes Nursing; Jun 2017; vol. 21 (no. 5); p. 162-167

Abstract:
Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are once-daily oral agents effective in treating hyperglycaemia in people with type 2 diabetes, with additional benefits including weight loss and a low risk of hypoglycaemia. This review provides a basic guide to the SGLT2 inhibitors licensed in the UK, including their mechanism of action, benefits, adverse effects and limitations, and place in treatment. Advice on avoiding the rare but serious adverse effect of diabetic ketoacidosis is also provided.

Link to full-text: http://www.thejournalofdiabetesnursing.co.uk/media/content/_master/4984/files/pdf/jdn_21-5_162-7.pdf

Obstetric complications on deployed operations: a guide for the military surgeon (2017)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
*Faulconer E.R.; Irani S.; Dufty N.; Bowley D.

Citation:
Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps; Oct 2016; vol. 162 (no. 5); p. 326-329

Abstract:
Modern military general surgeons tend to train and then practice in 'conventional' surgical specialties in their home nation; however, the reality of deployed surgical practice, either in a combat zone or on a humanitarian mission, is that they are likely to have to manage patients with a broad range of ages, conditions and pathologies. Obstetric complications of war injury include injury to the uterus and fetus as well as the mother and both placental abruption and uterine rupture are complications that military surgeons may have little experience of recognising and managing. On humanitarian deployments, fetomaternal complications are a common reason for surgical intervention. We report a recent patient's story to highlight the obstetric training needs of military surgeons.

Long-term follow-up of KTP laser turbinate reduction for the treatment of obstructive rhinopathy (2017)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
Raja H.; Mitchell S.; Barrett G.; Sharma A.; *Skinner D.W.

Citation:
Ear, Nose and Throat Journal; 2017; vol. 96 (no. 4); p. 170-182

Abstract:
We investigated the subjective, long-term, patient-reported symptom control after endoscopic potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser reduction of the inferior turbinates. Symptoms were listed preoperatively and patients were asked, via telephone interview, the status of their symptoms. Chi-square analysis was used to assess statistical significance of the surgical intervention. Thirty-six patients (male:female ratio: 5:4) aged 13 to 80 years (mean: 37.2) were available for follow-up. The mean follow-up time was 68.47 months (range: 44 to 92). The principal symptom patients experienced was nasal obstruction (94.4%); postoperative improvement in this symptom at 44 months and beyond was reported by 85.3% of patients (chi-square 16.94, p < 0.001). Other symptoms, such as rhinorrhea and sneezing, showed no significant improvement at long-term follow-up. This study adds evidence to the long-term improvements in obstructive nasal symptoms using KTP laser reduction of the turbinates.

Breast cancer surgery without suction drainage and impact of mastectomy flap fixation in reducing seroma formation (2017)

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Type of publication:
Conference abstract

Author(s):
*Zaidi S.; *Hinton C.

Citation:
European Journal of Surgical Oncology; May 2017; vol. 43 (no. 5)

Abstract:
Background: One of the most invalidating complications after breast cancer surgery is seroma formation. The incidence of seroma formation after breast surgery varies from 3% to 85%. Seroma formation and inadequate drainage of seroma may lead to infections, pain, hospitalization and delay in treatment. Methods employed to prevent seromata include suction drainage, shoulder immobilization, quilting sutures, fibrin sealants. Aim: To determine the effect of a 'no drains' policy on seroma formation and other complications in women undergoing breast cancer surgery and to evaluate the effect of obliteration of dead space by suture fixation of the mastectomy flaps to the underlying chest wall, on the amount and duration of postoperative fluid drainage and incidence of seroma formation after breast surgery. Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on a consecutive series of patients that had been treated with mastectomy with or without axillary surgery for breast cancer for the last 1 year. Patients divided into Group 1 the wound was closed in the conventional method at the edges and closed suction drains are used. Group 2; after completing the mastectomy procedure, using absorbable sutures (vicryl), continuous stitches 3 cm apart were taken, in rows, between the subcutaneous tissues of the skin flaps and the underlying muscles. Special attention is taken to the obliteration of the largest potential dead space, the empty axillary apex. Closed suction drains are used. Group 3 similar procedure but no drain used. The patient characteristics collected were: age, type of surgery, side of the affected breast, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, diabetes, body mass index (BMI), smoking, anticoagulants usage and length of hospital stay. Definitions: Postoperative haematoma: clear postoperative haematoma formation in the area of the operation, for which intervention is necessary. Wound infection: clinical signs of infection (pain, swelling, erythema, fever, exudate, delayed wound healing or breakdown), purulent discharge or a positive microbiological culture. Seroma production: palpable fluid collection, with serous consistency, produced subcutaneous in the area of operation or axilla Results: 113 women were included in the study. Women underwent modified radical mastectomy (MRM) and ALND , MRM +/- sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) /axillary node sampling (ANS) and simple Mx. There was no significant difference between the studied groups concerning the age, type of surgery, side of the affected breast, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, diabetes, body mass index (BMI), smoking, anticoagulants usage. There were six patients with evacuation of haematoma postoperatively and belong to group 1 and 2 with drains. The number (and percentage) of women with wound infection was none in the group 1, 8 in gp 2 and 2 among gp 3 patients. Seroma formation was 10 in gp 1, 9 in gp 2 and 4 in gp 3. The length of hospital stays (days) was 2.7 in gp 1, 2.6 in gp 2 and 1.3 days in gp 3 patients with no drains (ND). Conclusion: This study investigated that wound drainage following mastectomy could be avoided by suturing flaps to the underlying chest wall, thereby facilitating early discharge with no associated increase in surgical morbidity. This study suggests that MRM +/- ALND/SLNB/ANS can be performed without the use of suction drains without increasing seroma formation and other complication rates. Adopting a 'nodrains' policy may also contribute to earlier hospital discharge.

Link to full-text: http://www.ejso.com/article/S0748-7983(17)30225-1/abstract

NHSBSP Guidelines and use of VAE for B3 pathology saves money and reduces patient pathway (2017)

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Type of publication:
Conference abstract

Author(s):
*Lake B.; *Williams S.; *Usman T.; *Burrows C.

Citation:
European Journal of Surgical Oncology; May 2017; vol. 43 (no. 5)

Abstract:
Introduction: B3 or indeterminate breast pathology combines a variety of heterogeneous pathological entities, with varying malignant potential and often cause a treatment dilemma. Recent NHSBSP guidelines help to delineate the treatment pathway following B3 diagnosis. Recommendations include for certain B3 pathology the use of second line Vacuum Assisted Excision(VAE), which decreases the need for open surgical biopsy. The aim of this audit was to assess current practice compared to guidelines and the potential cost saving from implementation. Method: A 5 year audit of all B3 pathologies at Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust was performed from 2010 to 2015. Data was recorded from the Clinical Portal and included initial pathology, subsequent procedures, subsequent pathology, upgrade and downgrade rates. Cost saving analysis was performed to see how much would have been saved if the new NHSBSP guidelines had been followed. Results: 297 B3 pathologies were identified; repeat B3 biopsy and B4 pathology were excluded. Commonest initial B3 pathology was Papilloma or Papillary lesion without atypia 24%. 140 patients (47%) had excision as second line procedure. Upgrade rate was 22% and downgrade rate was 29%. Cost saving analysis showed that if VAE was available as a second line procedure, 115 patients (39%) could have had this instead of excision saving 80,960.In addition 10% of patients would have had reduced clinical pathway. Conclusion: New guidelines recommend for selected B3 pathology the use of VAE. This audit demonstrates not only does this save money but also reduces the steps in the patient's pathway.

Link to more details or full-text: http://www.ejso.com/article/S0748-7983(17)30204-4/abstract

 

Multidisciplinary team meetings in primary care: Could they help to attract the GPs of tomorrow? (2017)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
Coventry J.; *Coventry C.; Coventry P.

Citation:
British Journal of General Practice; Jun 2017; vol. 67 (no. 659); p. 267

Abstract:
It is well recognised that there is currently a crisis in recruiting medical students and doctors to a career in general practice. Around 12% of training posts were vacant for the 2015 application year.1 When research has enquired as to why these groups decide against general practice many reasons have been given including ‘wanting to work in acute care’, ‘wanting to specialise’, but one that caught our eye was ‘wanting to work in a team’.2 Many GPs would argue that at practice meetings and business meetings you are part of a team. However, if we think about what the students see on placement it is quite often a GP sitting in their room facing whatever comes…

Term admissions to neonatal units in England: A role for transitional care? A retrospective cohort study (2017)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
Battersby C.; Michaelides S.; Upton M.; Rennie J.M.; Babirecki M.; Harry L.; Rackham O.; Wickham T.; Hamdan S.; Gupta A.; Wigfield R.; Wong L.; Mittal A.; Nycyk J.; Simmons P.; Singh A.; Seal S.; Hassan A.; Schwarz K.; Thomas M.; Foo A.; Shastri A.; Whincup G.; Brearey S.; Chang J.; Gad K.; Hasib A.; Garbash M.; Allwood A.; Adiotomre P.; Ahmed J.S.; Deketelaere A.; Khader K.A.; Shephard R.; Mallik A.; Abuzgia B.; Jain M.; Pirie S.; Zengeya S.; Watts T.; Jampala C.; Seagrave C.; Cruwys M.; Dixon H.; Aladangady N.; Gaili H.; James M.; Lal M.; Ambadkar; Rao P.; Hickey A.; Dave D.; Pai V.; Lama M.; Miall L.; Cusack J.; Kairamkonda V.; Jayachandran; Kollipara; Kefas J.; Yoxall B.; Whitehead G.; Krishnamurthy; Soe A.; Misra I.; Pillay T.; Ali I.; Dyke M.; Selter M.; Panasa N.; Alsford L.; Spencer V.; Gupta S.; Nicholl R.; Wardle S.; McBride T.; Shettihalli N.; Adams E.; Babiker S.; Crawford M.; Gibson D.; Khashu M.; Toh C.; Hall M.; Sleight E.; Groves C.; Godambe S.; Bosman D.; Rewitzky G.; Banjoko O.; Kumar N.; Manzoor A.; Lopez W.; D'Amore A.; Mattara S.; Zipitis C.; De Halpert P.; Settle P.; Munyard P.; McIntyre J.; Bartle D.; Yallop K.; Fedee J.; Maddock N.; Gupta R.; *Deshpande S.; Moore A.; Godden C.; Amess P.; Jones S.; Fenton A.; Mahadevan; Brown N.; Mack K.; Bolton R.; Khan A.; Mannix P.; Huddy C.; Yasin S.; Butterworth S.; Edi-Osagie N.; Cairns P.; Reynolds P.; Brennan N.; Heal C.; Salgia S.; Abu-Harb M.; Birch J.; Knight C.; Clark S.; Van Sommen V.; Murthy V.; Paul S.; Kisat H.; Kendall G.; Blake K.; Kuna J.; Kumar H.; Vemuri G.; Rawlingson C.; Webb D.; Bird; Narayanan S.; Gane J.; Eyre E.; Evans I.; Sanghavi R.; Sullivan C.; Amegavie L.; Leith W.; Vasu V.; Gallagher A.; Vamvakiti K.; Eaton M.; Millman G.

Citation:
BMJ Open; May 2017; vol. 7 (no. 5)

Abstract:
Objective: To identify the primary reasons for term admissions to neonatal units in England, to determine risk factors for admissions for jaundice and to estimate the proportion who can be cared for in a transitional setting without separation of mother and baby. Design: Retrospective observational study using neonatal unit admission data from the National Neonatal Research Database and data of live births in England from the Office for National Statistics. Setting: All 163 neonatal units in England 2011-2013. Participants: 133 691 term babies born >=37 weeks gestational age and admitted to neonatal units in England. Primary and secondary outcomes: Primary reasons for admission, term babies admitted for the primary reason of jaundice, patient characteristics, postnatal age at admission, total length of stay, phototherapy, intravenous fluids, exchange transfusion and kernicterus. Results: Respiratory disease was the most common reason for admission overall, although jaundice was the most common reason for admission from home (22% home vs 5% hospital). Risk factors for admission for jaundice include male, born at 37 weeks gestation, Asian ethnicity and multiple birth. The majority of babies received only a brief period of phototherapy, and only a third received intravenous fluids, suggesting that some may be appropriately managed without separation of mother and baby. Admission from home was significantly later (3.9 days) compared with those admitted from elsewhere in the hospital (1.7 days) (p<0.001). Conclusion: Around two-thirds of term admissions for jaundice may be appropriately managed in a transitional care setting, avoiding separation of mother and baby. Babies with risk factors may benefit from a community midwife postnatal visit around the third day of life to enable early referral if necessary. We recommend further work at the national level to examine provision and barriers to transitional care, referral pathways between primary and secondary care, and community postnatal care

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