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Purpose: We evaluated the impact of a virtual Pediatric Surgery Bootcamp curriculum on resource utilization, learner engagement, knowledge retention, and stakeholder satisfaction. Methods: A virtual curriculum was developed around Pediatric Surgery Milestones. GlobalCastMD delivered pre-recorded and live content over a single 10-hour day with a concluding social hour. Metrics of learner engagement, faculty interaction, knowledge retention, and satisfaction were collected and analyzed during and after the course. Results: Of 56 PS residencies, 31 registered (55.4%; 8/8 Canadian and 23/48 US; p=0.006), including 42 learners overall. The virtual BC budget was $15,500 (USD), 54% of the anticipated in-person course.. Pre- and post-tests were administered, revealing significant knowledge improvement (48.6% [286/589] vs 66.9% [89/133] pConclusions: The virtual bootcamp format reduced overall expenses, interfered less with schedules, achieved more inclusive reach, and facilitated content archiving. Despite these advantages, learners and program directors still favored in-person education.

Grading scales for adverse surgical outcomes have been poorly characterized to date. The primary aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review to enumerate the various frameworks for grading adverse postoperative outcomes; our secondary objective was to outline the properties of each grading system, identifying its strengths and weaknesses.We searched 9 databases (Africa Wide Information, Biosis, Cochrane, Embase, Global Health, LILACs, Medline, PubMed and Web of Science) from 1992 (the year the Clavien-Dindo classification system was developed) until Mar. 2, 2017, for studies that aimed to develop or improve on an already existing generalizable system for grading adverse postoperative outcomes. Study selection was duplicated as per PRISMA recommendations. Procedure-specific grading systems were excluded. We assessed the framework, strengths and weaknesses of the systems qualitatively.We identified 9 studies on 8 adverse outcome grading systems with frameworks generalizable to any surgical procedure. Most systems have not been widely incorporated in the literature. Seven of the 8 systems were produced without including patients' perspectives. Four allowed the derivation of a composite morbidity score, which had limited tangible significance for patients.Although each instrument identified offered its own advantages, none satisfied the need for a patient-centred tool capable of generating a composite score of all possible postoperative adverse outcomes (complications, sequelae and failure) that enables comparison of noninterventional and surgical management of disease. There is a need for development of a more comprehensive, patient-centred grading system for adverse postoperative outcomes.Jusqu’ici, les systèmes de classification des issues postopératoires indésirables n’ont pas encore fait l’objet d’une analyse comparative. Cette étude avait pour objectif principal de recenser, au moyen d’une revue systématique de la littérature, les divers systèmes de classification des issues postopératoire indésirables, et pour objectif secondaire de dégager les propriétés, les forces et les faiblesses de chaque système.Nous avons interrogé 9 bases de données (Africa Wide Information, Biosis Previews, Cochrane, Embase, Global Health, LILACS, Medline, PubMed et Web of Science) pour trouver des articles publiés entre 1992 (année de la mise au point du système de classification de Clavien–Dindo) et le 2 mars 2017. Ces articles devaient porter sur la création d’un système généralisable de classification des issues postopératoires indésirables, ou l’amélioration d’un système existant. La sélection des études a été faite en double, conformément aux recommandations PRISMA. Les systèmes de classification visant une seule intervention ont été exclus. Nous avons évalué, d’un point de vue qualitatif, le cadre, les forces et les faiblesses des systèmes retenus.Nous avons retenu 9 études sur 8 systèmes de classification accompagnés d’un cadre pouvant être appliqué à n’importe quelle intervention chirurgicale. La plupart des systèmes n’avaient pas été largement étudiés. Sept des 8 systèmes avaient été développés sans tenir compte du point de vue des patients, et 4 permettaient de calculer un score de morbidité composite ayant des retombées concrètes limitées pour les patients.Tous les systèmes retenus s’accompagnaient d’avantages, mais aucun ne pouvait servir d’outil centré sur le patient permettant de calculer un score composite pour toutes les issues postopératoires possibles (complications, séquelles et échec), score qui pourrait servir à comparer les prises en charge conservatrice et chirurgicale des maladies. La création d’un système de classification des issues postopératoires indésirables exhaustif centré sur le patient est nécessaire.

Background: Fostering the success of surgical trainees from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) plausibly addresses the existing workforce deficit in a sustainable manner, but it is unclear whether and how these trainees are targeted as strategic learners for educational exchanges. The purpose of this review was to assess the quality and outcomes of existing literature on exchanges of surgical trainees between high-income countries (HICs) and LMICs. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of reported instances of surgical training exchanges between HICs and LMICs. After database searching, 2 independent reviewers evaluated titles, abstracts and manuscripts. Selected studies were critically appraised with the use the Critical Assessment Skills Programme Qualitative Checklist and analyzed for trainee level, institutions, countries and subspecialties, as well as reported outcomes of the exchange. Results: Twenty-eight reports met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Most publications (18 [64%]) detailed North-to-South exchanges; 1 exchange was bidirectional. General surgery was the most common discipline identified, with 9 other subspecialties described involving learners at all phases of training. Reports were generally of good quality, although outcomes were reported variably, and most authors failed to acknowledge the ethical implications of their study. Conclusion: The articles identified described a variety of surgical exchanges across disciplines, learner types and host/home countries. Few of the exchanges prioritized the learning of surgical trainees from LMICs. There is an increasing need to formalize these exchanges via clear goals and objectives, as well as to prioritize the proper matching of educational goals with local clinical needs. Level of evidence V – Evidence from systematic reviews of descriptive and qualitative studies.

There is a significant unmet need for children’s surgical care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Multidisciplinary collaboration is required to advance the surgical and anesthesia care of children’s surgical conditions such as congenital conditions, cancer and injuries. Nonetheless, there are limited examples of this process from LMICs. We describe the development and 3-year outcomes following a 2015 stakeholders’ meeting in Uganda to catalyze multidisciplinary and multi-institutional collaboration. The stakeholders’ meeting was a daylong conference held in Kampala with local, regional and international collaborators in attendance. Multiple clinical specialties including surgical subspecialists, pediatric anesthesia, perioperative nursing, pediatric oncology and neonatology were represented. Key thematic areas including infrastructure, training and workforce retention, service delivery, and research and advocacy were addressed, and short-term objectives were agreed upon. We reported the 3-year outcomes following the meeting by thematic area. The Pediatric Surgical Foundation was developed following the meeting to formalize coordination between institutions. Through international collaborations, operating room capacity has increased. A pediatric general surgery fellowship has expanded at Mulago and Mbarara hospitals supplemented by an international fellowship in multiple disciplines. Coordinated outreach camps have continued to assist with training and service delivery in rural regional hospitals. Collaborations between disciplines, both within LMICs and with international partners, are required to advance children’s surgery. The unification of stakeholders across clinical disciplines and institutional partnerships can facilitate increased children’s surgical capacity. Such a process may prove useful in other LMICs with a wide range of children’s surgery stakeholders.

Background Significant limitations in pediatric surgical capacity exist in low- and middle-income countries, especially in rural regions. Recent global children’s surgical guidelines suggest training and support of general surgeons in rural regional hospitals as an effective approach to increasing pediatric surgical capacity. Methods Two years of a prospective clinical database of children’s surgery admissions at 2 regional referral hospitals in Uganda were reviewed. Primary outcomes included case volume and clinical outcomes of children at each hospital. Additionally, the disability-adjusted life-years averted by delivery of pediatric surgical services at these hospitals were calculated. Using a value of statistical life calculation, we also estimated the economic benefit of the pediatric surgical care currently being delivered. Results From 2016 to 2019, more than 300 surgical procedures were performed at each hospital per year. The majority of cases were standard general surgery cases including hernia repairs and intussusception as well as procedures for surgical infections and trauma. In-hospital mortality was 2.4% in Soroti and 1% in Lacor. Pediatric surgical capacity at these hospitals resulted in over 12,400 disability-adjusted life-years averted/year. This represents an estimated economic benefit of 10.2 million US dollars/year to the Ugandan society. Conclusion This investigation demonstrates that lifesaving pediatric procedures are safely performed by general surgeons in Uganda. General surgeons who perform pediatric surgery significantly increase surgical access to rural regions of the country and add a large economic benefit to Ugandan society. Overall, the results of the study support increasing pediatric surgical capacity in rural areas of low- and middle-income countries through support and training of general surgeons and anesthesia providers.

Objective: In infants with gastroschisis, outcomes were compared between those where operative reduction and fascial closure were attempted ≤24 hours of age (PC), and those who underwent planned closure of their defect >24 hours of age following reduction with a pre-formed silo (SR). Summary of Background Data: Inadequate evidence exists to determine how best to treat infants with gastroschisis. Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted of data collected 2006–2008 using the British Association of Pediatric Surgeons Congenital Anomalies Surveillance System, and 2005–2016 using the Canadian Pediatric Surgery Network. 28-day outcomes were compared between infants undergoing PC and SR. Primary outcome was number of gastrointestinal complications. Interactions were investigated between infant characteristics and treatment to determine whether intervention effect varied in sub-groups of infants. Results: Data from 341 British and Irish infants (27%) and 927 Canadian infants (73%) were used. 671 infants (42%) underwent PC and 597 (37%) underwent SR. The effect of SR on outcome varied according to the presence/absence of intestinal perforation, intestinal matting and intestinal necrosis. In infants without these features, SR was associated with fewer gastrointestinal complications [aIRR 0.25 (95% CI 0.09–0.67, P = 0.006)], more operations [aIRR 1.40 (95% CI 1.22–1.60, P < 0.001)], more days PN [aIRR 1.08 (95% CI 1.03–1.13, P < 0.001)], and a higher infection risk [aOR 2.06 (95% CI 1.10–3.87, P = 0.025)]. In infants with these features, SR was associated with a greater number of operations [aIRR 1.30 (95% CI 1.17–1.45, P < 0.001)], and more days PN [aIRR 1.06 (95% CI 1.02–1.10, P = 0.003)]. Conclusions: In infants without intestinal perforation, matting, or necrosis, the benefits of SR outweigh its drawbacks. In infants with these features, the opposite is true. Treatment choice should be based upon these features.

Comparing adverse outcomes following alternative surgical interventions is a complex process for both patients and providers. Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) are used globally as a quantitative indicator of burden of disease. However, DALYs have not been applied to the burden of postoperative complications. This study explores the feasibility and utility of DALYs in measuring the burden of postoperative complications, using 2 pediatric surgical procedures as a test model.A literature review was undertaken of postoperative complications following pediatric inguinal hernia repair and intestinal atresia repair. Relevant studies were included, and incidence rates and durations of all key complications were identified. Using existing disability weights of equivalent health states to the complications, we estimated the burden in DALYs of each complication. These estimates were combined into a unitary procedure-specific complication burden score.The key complications contributing to the postoperative burden following inguinal hernia repair were recurrence (0.016 DALYs), hydrocele (0.010), metachronous hernia (0.014) and port-site hernia (0.012). In the case of intestinal atresia repair, death (6.278), reoperation (12.100), stenosis (5.025) and anastomotic stricture (5.327) accounted for most of the postoperative DALYs. The complication burden score was 0.06 DALYs for inguinal hernia and 36.86 for intestinal atresia repair.As a proof of concept, this study supports the feasibility of using DALYs to derive a complication burden score following surgical intervention, and to our knowledge it represents the first application of burden of disease metrics to postoperative adverse outcomes. Future studies should focus on deriving de novo disability weights for common postoperative complications and adverse outcomes.La comparaison des issues indésirables découlant d’interventions chirurgicales de substitution est complexe, tant pour les patients que pour les fournisseurs de soins. Partout au monde, les années de vie ajustées en fonction de l’incapacité (AVAI) sont utilisées comme indicateur quantitatif du fardeau de la maladie. Or, les AVAI n’ont jamais été appliquées au fardeau des complications postopératoires. La présente étude porte sur la faisabilité et l’utilité du recours aux AVAI pour mesurer le fardeau des complications postopératoires. Elle se sert de 2 interventions chirurgicales pédiatriques comme modèles.Nous avons mené une revue de la littérature sur les complications postopératoires suivant une réparation de hernie inguinale et une correction d’atrésie intestinale chez des populations pédiatriques. Nous avons retenu les études pertinentes et dégagé le taux d’incidence ainsi que la durée des principales complications. Nous nous sommes également servis du fardeau pondéré de l’incapacité liée à un trouble de santé équivalent à chacune des complications pour estimer le fardeau, en AVAI, des complications. Les estimations ont ensuite été combinées pour obtenir un score unitaire correspondant au fardeau des complications associées à chaque intervention.Les principales complications contribuant au fardeau postopératoire associé à la réparation de hernie inguinale étaient la récurrence (0,016 AVAI), l’hydrocèle (0,010 AVAI), la hernie métachrone (0,014 AVAI) et la hernie au site de laparoscopie (0,012). En ce qui a trait à la correction d’atrésie intestinale, le décès (6,278 AVAI), la réopération (12,100 AVAI), la sténose (5,025 AVAI) et le rétrécissement anastomotique (5,327 AVAI) étaient à l’origine de la plupart des AVAI postopératoires. Le score du fardeau des complications était de 0,06 AVAI pour la réparation de hernie inguinale et de 36,86 AVAI pour la correction d’atrésie intestinale.Cette étude, comme validation de principe, montre qu’il est possible d’utiliser les AVAI pour obtenir un score correspondant au fardeau des complications associées à une intervention chirurgicale. Elle est également la première, à notre connaissance, à appliquer un score de fardeau de la maladie aux issues postopératoires indésirables. Des études ultérieures devraient être axées sur le calcul de nouveaux fardeaux pondérés pour les complications postopératoires et les issues indésirables courantes.

Bartonella henselae is a zoonotic Gram-negative Bacillus associated with self-limited regional lymphadenopathy. In recent decades, an expanding spectrum of clinical manifestations has been described, in part, due to improved diagnostics. However, updated epidemiological data are sparse. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical features of 31 patients with B. henselae infection over 15 years from 2005 to 2019, in the tropical Top End of Australia. Our annual disease incidence of 1.3 cases per 100,000 population is lower than that in the national database surveillances in the United States, but the hospitalization incidence of 0.9 per 100,000 population in our region is higher than those reported in the literature, with an average length of stay of 9 days. Patients were more commonly male, aboriginal, and aged less than 14 years (median age: 7 years), living in a rural setting with presentation during our monsoon season. The disease spectrum included lymph node disease (74%), organ peliosis, endocarditis, cutaneous lesions, parapharyngeal abscess, parotitis, and neurologic and ocular syndromes. Lymph node disease was far commoner in children than the more serious systemic B. henselae infections associated with adults (P = 0.074). Although no deaths were reported, significant morbidities were observed. Two endocarditis cases presented with glomerulonephritis, and hematological and neurological features mimicking vasculitis, and consequently received immunosuppressants. One case was only diagnosed after representation with serial embolic strokes. Given the heterogeneity of disease manifestations with nonspecific symptoms and significant consequences, a timely and accurate diagnosis is needed to avoid unnecessary treatments or interventions.

KEY POINTS Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), which occurs in about 1 in 3300 live births, is a congenital defect in the diaphragm that allows herniation of abdominal viscera into the thorax.[1][1] The resulting abnormal lung development leads to pulmonary hypoplasia and pulmonary hypertension

Background Trauma registries contribute to improving trauma care, but their impact is highly dependent on the quality of the data. A simplified point of care pediatric trauma registry (PTR) was developed at the Centre for Global Surgery from the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) for implementation in Low-middle income countries (LMICs). Pilot deployment was launched at a large urban trauma center in May 2016 in Santiago, Chile. Prior to deployment, we sought to identify missing data in existing trauma records in order to optimize PTR practicality and user benefit. Materials and methods The project was approved by the local Institutional Review Board. Retrospective chart review was conducted on trauma patients below the age of 15 who were evaluated at the emergency room (ER) of Hospital Dr. Sotero del Rio (HSR) between January 1st and June 30th 2015. Data missingness was evaluated for each component of the PTR (demographics, mechanism, injury and outcomes). Potential independent predictors of data missingness were evaluated using multiple linear regression. Results A total of 351 patients were included. Demographic data missingness ranged from 0% (age) to 95% (mode of arrival). Mechanism data missingness ranged from 6% (cause of injury) to 42% (site of injury). Injury physiology data missingness ranged from 37% (oxygen saturation) to 99% (respiratory rate). Interestingly, mean injury anatomy data missingness was significantly inferior to physiology data (0.6% vs. 78.6%, p < 0.05). Outcome data missingness reached 54% at 2 weeks. Conclusion In resource-limited settings, high quality data is essential to guide responsible resource allocation. We believe implementation of a simplified trauma registry has the potential to reduce data gaps for pediatric trauma patients by streamlining trauma data collection at point of care. This should include streamlined data collection with a short per-patient completion time, and should forego attempts to collect data at 2 weeks, which has proven unsuccessful. How to cite this article St-Louis E, Roizblatt D, Deckelbaum DL, Baird R, Millán CV, Ebensperger A, Razek T. Identifying Pediatric Trauma Data Gaps at a Large Urban Trauma Referral Center in Santiago, Chile. Panam J Trauma Crit Care Emerg Surg 2017;6(3):169-176.

Heterotopic gastric mucosa is rare in the pediatric population. We present a case of a 14-year-old girl with a 6-month history of intermittent rectal bleeding and failed sclerotherapy. Excision ultimately demonstrated heterotopic gastric mucosa. This reports highlights that while most of the non-congenital pediatric anorectalpathology will continue to be hemorrhoids and prolapse, heterotopic gastric mucosa should be considered in patients with anorectal symptoms refractory to conventional treatment.

Introduction Technology enables medical services to be provided to rural communities. This proof of concept study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of delivering community pharmacy services (CPS; including advice, sale of over-the-counter products and dispensing of prescriptions) by tele-technology (the Telepharmacy Robotic Supply Service (TPRSS)) to a rural population in Scotland. Methods Data collection included the following: postal surveys to local residents; focus groups/ interviews with pharmacists, other healthcare professionals (HCPs) and service users, at baseline and follow-up; TPRSS logs. Interviews/focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed. Descriptive statistics were reported for survey data. Results Qualitative results: Pre-installation: residents expressed satisfaction with current pharmacy access. HCPs believed the TPRSS would improve pharmacy access and reduce pressure on GPs. Concerns included costs, confidentiality, patient safety and ‘fear’ of technology. Post-installation: residents and pharmacy staff were positive, finding the service easy to use. Quantitative results: Pre-installation: almost half the respondents received regular prescription medicines and a third used an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine at least monthly. More than 80% (124/156) reported they would use the TPRSS. There was low awareness of the minor ailment service (MAS; 38%; 59/156). Post-installation: prescription ordering and OTC medicine purchase were used most frequently; the video link was used infrequently. Reasons for non-use were lack of need (36%; 40/112) and linkage to only one pharmacy (31%; 35/112). Discussion Community pharmacy services delivered remotely using tele-technology are feasible and acceptable. A larger study should be undertaken to confirm the potential of the TPRSS to reduce health inequalities in rural areas.

Postoperative abscesses after perforated appendicitis have no clear risk factors or indications for percutaneous drainage. Our study addressed these two issues.A logistic regression model was used to delineate risk factors for postoperative abscess in children with perforated appendicitis treated during a recent 5-year period. Drainage of abscess was compared to antibiotic treatment.Postoperative abscess occurred in 42 (14.8%) of 284 patients. Higher WBC count, presence of bowel obstruction at presentation, diffuse peritonitis with a dominant abscess at surgery, and one specific surgeon were significantly associated with postoperative abscess, while fever or pain requiring narcotics at the time of abscess diagnosis was significantly associated with drainage. Compared to non-drainage, those drained had longer hospital stay including readmissions (15.9 ± 5.3 vs. 12.2 ± 4.6 days, p0.005) and less readmissions (9.5 vs. 33.3%, p = 0.06). Over the 5-year period, there was no increased trend in abscess occurrence (p = 0.56), but there was an increased trend in the use of percutaneous drainage (p = 0.02).The risk of a postoperative abscess can be predicted by specific clinical characteristics, surgical findings, and treatment-related factors. Percutaneous drainage was associated with longer hospital stays, but less readmissions.

This paper sets out theoretical approaches to language that guide the authors' research in the field, but which have been under-represented in literature. As the English as a lingua franca field of enquiry grows, this article provides needed dialogue, consideration, and reflection over how we conceptualise our subject matter, our roles, and our rhetorical stances. This paper proposes the usefulness of considering the complexity of language, not as something that gets in the way of empiricism or clarity, but as something that makes ELF researchers perfectly positioned to investigate and contribute to wider understandings of language. Complexity theory is drawn upon as a conceptual tool that can be useful in guiding our thinking about the dynamic nature of language, which, in turn, is considered in relation to the reasons why language is complex, namely its roles in relation to practices and contextualisation. Having established our approaches to the complexity of the language in ELF scenarios, we propose implications for ELF researchers' treatment of speakers, language, and ideology.

Introduction Prosthetic knee instability is a common cause of patient dissatisfaction and early failure after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Strategies to manage such instability are dependent on the recognition of the presenting instability pattern because some require full revision, whereas others can be managed by polyethylene exchange (PE) only. This retrospective chart review classifies and reports on a series of patients where PE only was used to manage an unstable TKA. Methods Of 1606 revision TKA patients, 4% underwent an isolated PE for prosthetic knee instability. All cases were classified using the novel OrthoCarolina Prosthetic Knee Instability Classification System. This classification system was established to guide surgeons in the diagnosis and surgical management of periprosthetic knee instability. The final data set included 41 patients at an average follow-up of 43 months. Results Of the patients treated with poly exchange only for an appropriate indication (ie, coronal instability with competent ligaments or global instability), 63% felt their knee was stable, whereas 37% felt they remained unstable after revision. Additionally, only 59% had improvement in their pain, whereas 41% were dissatisfied with their pain relief after revision. Discussion Despite the use of this technique when indicated, the results of PE only with regard to pain and instability are unpredictable. Only approximately 50% of patients became stable and had adequate pain relief. Patients and surgeons alike should understand that this low morbidity option does not guarantee a good result regardless of whether it is used for an appropriate indication. Obtaining stability and pain relief in a patient with prosthetic knee instability remains a significant challenge. Therefore, the key to avoiding prosthetic knee instability is through prevention at the time of primary surgery. Prosthetic knee instability remains difficult to manage despite intuitive and appropriate indications for PE only.

Anastomotic strictures (ASs) complicate the postoperative course of roughly one-third of all patients with esophageal atresia with or without tracheoesophageal fistula. Its development is multifactorial, but is due in part to tension on the anastomosis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and the presence of a leak in the early postoperative period. Efforts at reducing the rate of AS have been largely unsuccessful, although meticulous technique and aggressive acid suppression remain the cornerstones of perioperative care. Once an AS has been confirmed, the first-line treatment remains a course of esophageal dilatation. Adjuncts to dilatation are frequently required, including steroid injection or the topical application of mitomycin C. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to promote one at the expense of the other. Esophageal stenting has recently been added to the algorithm of treatment, although additional literature is required to confirm its safety and efficacy. Finally, stricture resection followed by primary esophageal anastomosis or, rarely, esophageal replacement with an interposition graft remain options for AS refractory to all other forms of treatment.

Isolated torsion of the Fallopian tube, without ovarian torsion, is a rare cause of lower abdominal pain. We report our experience with 4 recent cases, along with data from a 20-year review of the pediatric literature.The records of 4 cases encountered during a 3-year period were reviewed. A literature review was completed by searching Medline, Medline in Process, Embase, Current Contents, and BIOSIS from 1990 to 2010.All 4 patients were diagnosed on laparoscopy. Laparoscopic salpingectomy was performed in 3 cases and laparoscopic detorsion in 1. All three resected specimens revealed hemorrhage and gangrene of the salpinx, with an associated cyst in one. The pediatric literature review, including our report, revealed 33 case reports and case series with 45 patients. Fifty-six percent of cases represented primary torsion, and 44% were secondary to underlying tubal pathology. Thirty percent of girls were premenarchal. The mean age at presentation and symptom duration were 13.2±2.1 years and 5.8±12.5 days, respectively. Fever and leukocytosis were present in 27% and 63%, respectively. Ultrasound, computed tomography scan, and magnetic resonance imaging showed a sensitivity of 22% (8/36), 14% (1/7), and 40% (2/5), respectively. A correct preoperative diagnosis was considered in only 13%. Eighty-eight percent of cases were treated by salpingectomy, and 12% were treated by tubal detorsion. Long-term outcomes of detorsion were not reported.Isolated salpingeal torsion in girls is rarely diagnosed preoperatively, regardless of imaging technique. Laparoscopy is the intervention of choice for definitive diagnosis and management. Salpingectomy is the most frequent treatment. Detorsion without resection may be considered for selected cases, but the long-term outcomes of this approach are unknown.

Neonates with gastroschisis make up an increasing proportion of prolonged surgical NICU admissions. While infectious complications are known to increase patient morbidity, it is unclear whether they vary according to abdominal closure method, or can be predicted by initial patient assessment. A national, prospective, disease-specific database was evaluated for episodes of wound infection (WI) and catheter-related infection (CRI). Antibiotic use and timing, as well as method and location of abdominal closure were studied. The gastroschisis prognostic score (GPS) was calculated and evaluated as a predictor of infectious complications. Of 395 patients, 48 (12.6%) had a documented abdominal WI, and 59 patients (14.9%) had at least one episode of CRI-most commonly coagulase negative staphylococcus. Most abdominal closures took place within 6 h of admission (194 = 51.3%), while 132 (34.9%) were delayed greater than 24 h. The WI rate was greater in the delayed group (21.2 vs. 8.2%, p = 0.0006). The GPS was found to predict development of an infectious complication (WI + CRI, p = 0.04). Infectious complications remain an important consideration in the management of gastroschisis. GPS correlates with the development of infectious complications. Prophylaxis for skin flora and early closure, when feasible, may reduce WI rates.

Because web services are highly interoperable, they are capable of providing uniform access to underlying technologies, allowing developers to choose between competing services. Workflow languages, such as BPEL, compose and sequence Web service invocations resulting in meaningful, and sometimes, repeated tasks. Their prevalence means there may be multiple Web services that perform the same operation with some better than others depending on the situation. Their potential for being unavailable at critical workflow execution times forces a reliance on such redundant services. One remedy for unavailability and situational awareness constraints is using quality of service factors and user-directed preferences to assign priorities to workflows and services to perform run-time replacement. In this paper we describe a novel approach to self-adapting workflow reconfiguration. We discuss the implementation of our approach embodied by the Next-generation Workflow Toolkit that supports runtime workflow reconfiguration using BPEL with a commercial workflow engine. A key design feature is the decoupling of user-directed changes regarding service priority from the actual workflow execution, allowing NeWT to effectively manage and recover from workflow changes at any time. We evaluate NeWT by comparing the same example across multiple commercial systems that claim reconfiguration capabilities.

An integrated identification methodology is presented that appropriately embodies (1) the nonparametric identification using neural networks, and (2) the qualitative description by means of expert systems, along with (3) the conventional identification via mathematical models. In this article, the emphasis is on the issue of neural network identification. Particularly, an improved back-propagation (IBP) algorithm supported by expert systems is proposed that proves to be much faster and better than standard back propagation. Several examples, insights, and discussions are also provided. A synergism of neural networks and expert systems is expected to develop a new generation identification technology.

Summary The performance of two-phase induction motor with the phase voltages controlled by symmetrically triggered, back-to-back thyristor pairs in series with the stator windings is investigated. Results obtained from experiments carried out on a 1 horsepower wound-rotor test machine are compared with results obtained by a simulation study using a cross-field model for the motor. The CSMP analogdigital simulation technique is found particularly suited to this type of problem since the logic statements required to describe the behaviour of the thyristors are easily included in FORTRAN subprograms. It is demonstrated that the computed results predict, to the accuracy expected of a constant parameter motor model, the first-order performance of the actual system.

Despite recent developments in the treatment of breast cancer, metastatic breast cancer remains an incurable disease. Postoperative adjuvant treatment may improve the survival of a subgroup of node positive, Stage II breast cancer patients, but the proportion of failures is still high. Preoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, an example of a new approach in scheduling of available agents, is based on sound theoretical and experimental principles. In this report, the authors summarize the background data on the rationale for preoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and present preliminary results of this study in which preoperative treatment starting with one course of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil (CMF) was given to newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer. Analysis of the first 43 patients given such treatment has shown that the side effects were comparable to those seen in patients treated with conventional postoperative chemotherapy, and that the delay time between diagnosis and starting chemotherapy has been substantially reduced compared to the historic group of patients. Additional aspects of this study include the introduction of fine-needle aspiration as the only diagnostic method for obtaining the tissue diagnosis of breast cancer, as well as a more intensive interaction between the surgeons from private practice and the oncology institute.

In experimental work the results of one or more observations may be missing. An agricultural plot may be trampled, an animal may die, a test tube may be dropped, or a machine may break down. When missing values occur, the usual method of computing the various sums of squares cannot be used unless the missing values are first estimated from the existing data. Cornish' obtained a specific formula for a single missing value and an iterative procedure for several missing values by minimising the error sum of squares. He also showed that the resulting treatment sum of squares had a positive bias and how to eliminate it. Wilkinson3 obtained a general procedure for estimating missing values which involves the solutions of matrix equations. The method of Glenn and Kramer2 may also be used by considering that a balanced incomplete block design is a randomised block design with missing observations, but this procedure would require the estimation of a large number of missing values. This paper will deal with the estimation of several missing values in a balanced incomplete block design by minimising the error sum of squares. Explicit formulae for each value missing will be derived for many special cases and a completely general solution will be given. These formulae may prove to be less tedious in application than the ones now available. A direct method of analysis of the augmented data, not requiring a correction for bias in the treatment sum of squares, will be given. It should be noted that, by estimating missing values, the symmetry in the design is restored, but the estimates serve only to expedite analysis of the data; they do not by any means restore the information lost in the missing observations.