Acta clinica Croatica
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Acta clinica Croatica · Apr 2023
ReviewIS SURGICAL TREATMENT OF VELOPHARYNGEAL INSUFFICIENCY BY MYOMUCOSAL POSTERIOR PHARYNGEAL FLAP A CONTRAINDICATION FOR NASAL INTUBATION? A NARRATIVE REVIEW.
Velopharyngeal insufficiency is a disorder where the soft palate directs the air through the nose. It is often present in patients with previous cleft or short palate, but also in many other conditions. Symptoms are primarily to be found in speech, with very distinct nasal sound. ⋯ The high risk of damage to the flap with possible bleeding can put the anesthesiologist in a very unpleasant situation if not aware of the permanent effect of this surgery. During preanesthetic assessment, if there is information on a previous pharyngoplasty, one should consider alternative options for nasotracheal intubation. All nasal insertion procedures must be either avoided or carried out with great caution, under fiberoptic visual control.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Apr 2023
ReviewWHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A GYNECOLOGIST/OBSTETRICIAN AND THE AIRWAY?
Physiological changes in pregnancy as part of biohumoral and morphological changes (hyperemia, edema, hypersecretion) influence the possible problems in obstetric anesthesia. These changes by themselves, and particularly aggravated by acute or chronic gestational or non-gestational comorbidity, increase the risk of aspiration of gastric contents, failed intubation, esophageal intubation, inadequate ventilation, and respiratory failure. ⋯ Atropine has been a favorite premedicant for decades, given its pharmacological properties, especially its antisialogenic effect and absence of a depressant effect on the fetoplacental unit, but today it is rarely used. Nasal decongestants before surgery are not recommended but in cases of severe rhinitis, atropine, promethazine, or topical decongestants may be used.
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Aspiration and ingestion of a foreign body is most frequently seen in children younger than 3 years. Foreign body aspiration is always a life-threatening, urgent state demanding quick recognition and treatment to avoid potentially lethal complications. Most foreign bodies that are ingested pass spontaneously through the gastrointestinal tract without complications, however, some could lead to problems if they become lodged. ⋯ Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation can be used as a rescue mode of support in children with life-threatening foreign body aspiration for stabilization before, during and after removal of the aspirated foreign body. It is of utmost importance that all foreign body extractions, if possible, be done in centers supplied with all the necessary equipment and trained personnel. However, prevention of foreign body aspiration and ingestion is still the best therapy.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Apr 2023
PROCALCITONIN GUIDED ANTIBIOTIC STEWARDSHIP: A BALKAN EXPERT CONSENSUS STATEMENT.
Sepsis as a consequence of infection is a frequent cause of death among critically ill patients. The most common sites of infection are lover respiratory tract, abdominal, urinary tract and catheter-associated blood stream infections. Early empiric, broad-spectrum therapy in those with severe sepsis and/or shock with the aim of reducing mortality may lead to antibiotic overuse, resistance and increased costs. ⋯ In the protocol, they have included the severity of illness, clinical assessment, and PCT levels. Developing a consensus on the clinical algorithm by eminent experts/specialists in various fields of medicine should enable clinicians to use PCT for initiation of antibiotic therapy and monitoring PCT to stop antibiotics earlier. It is crucial that the PCT-guided algorithm becomes an integral part of institutional stewardship program.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Apr 2023
CHRONIC MULTIMORBIDITY OF LOW BACK PAIN OR OTHER CHRONIC BACK DISORDERS IN THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA.
The aim was to assess the prevalence of chronic multimorbidity in patients with chronic low back pain or other chronic back disorders (BD). We analyzed data from the population-based cross-sectional European Health Interview Survey (EHIS) performed in the Republic of Croatia 2014-2015 by the Croatian Institute of Public Health. Outcome was the point-prevalence of chronic multimorbidity defined as having ≥2 chronic illnesses out of 14 contained in the EHIS questionnaire, after adjustment for ten sociodemographic, anthropometric and lifestyle confounders. ⋯ All chronic comorbidities except for asthma and liver cirrhosis were significantly more prevalent in participants with BD than in participants without BD. In the population with BD, the participants with multimorbidity had three to four times higher odds for unfavorable self-reported health outcomes than the participants with no comorbid conditions, whereas the existence of only one comorbidity was not significantly associated with a worse outcome compared to the population with no comorbidities. In conclusion, the population suffering from BD has a higher prevalence of chronic multimorbidity than the population without BD and this multimorbidity is associated with unfavorable health outcomes.