Postoperative outcomes in oesophagectomy with trainee involvement

BACKGROUND

The complexity of oesophageal surgery and the significant risk of morbidity necessitates that oesophagectomy is predominantly performed by a consultant surgeon, or a senior trainee under their supervision. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of trainee involvement in oesophagectomy on postoperative outcomes in an international multicentre setting.

METHODS

Data from the multicentre Oesophago-Gastric Anastomosis Study Group (OGAA) cohort study were analysed, which comprised prospectively collected data from patients undergoing oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer between April 2018 and December 2018. Procedures were grouped by the level of trainee involvement, and univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to compare patient outcomes across groups.

RESULTS

Of 2232 oesophagectomies from 137 centres in 41 countries, trainees were involved in 29.1 per cent of them (n = 650), performing only the abdominal phase in 230, only the chest and/or neck phases in 130, and all phases in 315 procedures. For procedures with a chest anastomosis, those with trainee involvement had similar 90-day mortality, complication and reoperation rates to consultant-performed oesophagectomies (P = 0.451, P = 0.318, and P = 0.382, respectively), while anastomotic leak rates were significantly lower in the trainee groups (P = 0.030). Procedures with a neck anastomosis had equivalent complication, anastomotic leak, and reoperation rates (P = 0.150, P = 0.430, and P = 0.632, respectively) in trainee-involved versus consultant-performed oesophagectomies, with significantly lower 90-day mortality in the trainee groups (P = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

Trainee involvement was not found to be associated with significantly inferior postoperative outcomes for selected patients undergoing oesophagectomy. The results support continued supervised trainee involvement in oesophageal cancer surgery.

The potential role of the adipokine HMGB1 in obesity and insulin resistance. Novel effects on adipose tissue biology

Discovery of the adipose tissue as a major source of signaling molecules almost three decades ago set a novel physiological paradigm that paved the way for the identification of metabolic organs as endocrine organs. Adipocytes, the main adipose tissue cell type, do not only represent the principal site of energy storage in form of triglycerides, but also produce a variety of molecules for short and long distance intercellular communication, named adipokines, which coordinate systemic responses. Although the best known adipokines identified and characterized hitherto are leptin and adiponectin, novel adipokines are continuously being described, what have significantly helped to elucidate the role of adipocyte biology in obesity and associated comorbidities. One of these novel adipokines is high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a ubiquitous nuclear protein that has been recently reported to be dysregulated in obese dysfunctional adipocytes. Although the classical function of HMGB1 is related to inflammation and immunity, acting as an alarmin, novel advances evidence an active implication of HMGB1 in tissue remodeling and fibrosis. This review summarizes the current evidence on the mechanisms controlling HMGB1 release, as well as its role as a regulator of adipocyte function and extracellular matrix remodeling, with special emphasis on the potential of this novel adipokine as a target in the obesity treatment.

My Baby's Movements: a stepped-wedge cluster-randomised controlled trial of a fetal movement awareness intervention to reduce stillbirths

OBJECTIVE

The My Baby's Movements (MBM) trial aimed to evaluate the impact on stillbirth rates of a multifaceted awareness package (the MBM intervention).

DESIGN

Stepped-wedge cluster-randomised controlled trial.

SETTING

Twenty-seven maternity hospitals in Australia and New Zealand.

POPULATION

Women with a singleton pregnancy without major fetal anomaly at ≥28 weeks of gestation from August 2016 to May 2019.

METHODS

The MBM intervention was implemented at randomly assigned time points, with the sequential introduction of eight groups of between three and five hospitals at 4-monthly intervals. Using generalised linear mixed models, the stillbirth rate was compared in the control and the intervention periods, adjusting for calendar time, study population characteristics and hospital effects.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Stillbirth at ≥28 weeks of gestation.

RESULTS

There were 304 850 births with 290 105 births meeting the inclusion criteria: 150 053 in the control and 140 052 in the intervention periods. The stillbirth rate was lower (although not statistically significantly so) during the intervention compared with the control period (2.2/1000 versus 2.4/1000 births; aOR 1.18, 95% CI 0.93-1.50; P = 0.18). The decrease in stillbirth rate was greater across calendar time: 2.7/1000 in the first versus 2.0/1000 in the last 18 months. No increase in secondary outcomes, including obstetric intervention or adverse neonatal outcome, was evident.

CONCLUSIONS

The MBM intervention did not reduce stillbirths beyond the downward trend over time. As a result of low uptake, the role of the intervention remains unclear, although the downward trend across time suggests some benefit in lowering the stillbirth rate. In this study setting, an awareness of the importance of fetal movements may have reached pregnant women and clinicians prior to the implementation of the intervention.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

The My Baby's Movements intervention to raise awareness of decreased fetal movement did not significantly reduce stillbirth rates.

Performance of six birth-weight and estimated-fetal-weight standards for predicting adverse perinatal outcome: a 10-year nationwide population-based study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate three birth-weight (BW) standards (Australian population-based, Fenton and INTERGROWTH-21^st ) and three estimated-fetal-weight (EFW) standards (Hadlock, INTERGROWTH-21^st and WHO) for classifying small-for-gestational age (SGA) and large-for-gestational age (LGA) and predicting adverse perinatal outcomes in preterm and term babies.

METHODS

This was a nationwide population-based study conducted on a total of 2.4 million singleton births that occurred from 24 + 0 to 40 + 6 weeks' gestation between 2004 and 2013 in Australia. The performance of the growth charts was evaluated according to SGA and LGA classification, and relative risk (RR) and diagnostic accuracy based on the areas under the receiver-operating-characteristics curves (AUCs) for stillbirth, neonatal death, perinatal death, composite morbidity and a composite of perinatal death and morbidity outcomes. The analysis was stratified according to gestational age at delivery (< 37 + 0 vs ≥ 37 + 0 weeks).

RESULTS

Following exclusions, 2 392 782 singleton births were analyzed. There were significant differences in the SGA and LGA classification and risk of adverse outcomes between the six BW and EFW standards evaluated. For the term group, compared with the other standards, the INTERGROWTH-21^st BW and EFW standards classified half the number of SGA (< 10^th centile) babies (3-4% vs 7-11%) and twice the number of LGA (> 90^th centile) babies (24-25% vs 8-15%), resulting in a smaller cohort of term SGA at higher risk of adverse outcome and a larger LGA cohort at lower risk of adverse outcome. For term SGA (< 3^rd centile) babies, the RR of perinatal death using the two INTERGROWTH-21^st standards was up to 1.5-fold higher than those of the other standards (including the WHO-EFW and Hadlock-EFW), while the INTERGROWTH-21^st -EFW standard indicated a 12-26% reduced risk of perinatal death for LGA cases across centile thresholds. Conversely, for the preterm group, the WHO-EFW and Hadlock-EFW standards identified a higher SGA classification rate than did the other standards (18-19% vs 10-11%) and a 20-65% increased risk of perinatal death in term LGA babies. All BW and EFW charts had similarly poor performance in predicting adverse outcomes, including the composite outcome (AUC range, 0.49-0.62) for both preterm (AUC range, 0.58-0.62) and term (AUC range, 0.49-0.50) cases and across centiles. Furthermore, specific centile thresholds for identifying adverse outcomes varied markedly by chart between BW and EFW standards.

CONCLUSIONS

This study addresses the recurrent problem of identifying fetuses at risk of morbidity and perinatal mortality associated with growth disorders and provides new insights into the applicability of international growth standards. Our findings of marked variation in classification and the similarly poor performance of prescriptive international standards and the other commonly used standards raise questions about whether the prescriptive international standards that were constructed for universal adoption are indeed applicable to a multiethnic population such as that of Australia. Thus, caution is needed when adopting universal standards for clinical and epidemiological use. © 2020 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Mortality from esophagectomy for esophageal cancer across low, middle, and high-income countries: An international cohort study

BACKGROUND

No evidence currently exists characterising global outcomes following major cancer surgery, including esophageal cancer. Therefore, this study aimed to characterise impact of high income countries (HIC) versus low and middle income countries (LMIC) on the outcomes following esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

METHOD

This international multi-center prospective study across 137 hospitals in 41 countries included patients who underwent an esophagectomy for esophageal cancer, with 90-day follow-up. The main explanatory variable was country income, defined according to the World Bank Data classification. The primary outcome was 90-day postoperative mortality, and secondary outcomes were composite leaks (anastomotic leak or conduit necrosis) and major complications (Clavien-Dindo Grade III - V). Multivariable generalized estimating equation models were used to produce adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI95%).

RESULTS

Between April 2018 to December 2018, 2247 patients were included. Patients from HIC were more significantly older, with higher ASA grade, and more advanced tumors. Patients from LMIC had almost three-fold increase in 90-day mortality, compared to HIC (9.4% vs 3.7%, p < 0.001). On adjusted analysis, LMIC were independently associated with higher 90-day mortality (OR: 2.31, CI95%: 1.17-4.55, p = 0.015). However, LMIC were not independently associated with higher rates of anastomotic leaks (OR: 1.06, CI95%: 0.57-1.99, p = 0.9) or major complications (OR: 0.85, CI95%: 0.54-1.32, p = 0.5), compared to HIC.

CONCLUSION

Resections in LMIC were independently associated with higher 90-day postoperative mortality, likely reflecting a failure to rescue of these patients following esophagectomy, despite similar composite anastomotic leaks and major complication rates to HIC. These findings warrant further research, to identify potential issues and solutions to improve global outcomes following esophagectomy for cancer.

Australian women's perceptions and practice of sleep position in late pregnancy: An online survey

BACKGROUND

Going-to-sleep in the supine position in later pregnancy (≥28 weeks) has been identified as a risk factor for stillbirth. Internationally, public awareness campaigns have been undertaken encouraging women to sleep on their side during late pregnancy.

AIM

This study aimed to identify sleep practices, attitudes and knowledge in pregnant women, to inform an Australian safe sleeping campaign.

METHODS

A web-based survey of pregnant women ≥28 weeks' gestation conducted from November 2017 to January 2018. The survey was adapted from international sleep surveys and disseminated via pregnancy websites and social media platforms.

FINDINGS

Three hundred and fifty-two women participated. Five (1.6%) reported going to sleep in the supine position. Most (87.8%) had received information on the importance of side-sleeping in pregnancy. Information was received from a variety of sources including maternity care providers (186; 66.2%) and the internet (177; 63.0%). Women were more likely to report going to sleep on their side if they had received advice to do so (OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.0-5.1). Thirteen (10.8%) reported receiving unsafe advice, including changing their going-to-sleep position to the supine position.

DISCUSSION

This indicates high level awareness and practice of safe late-pregnancy going-to-sleep position in participants. Opportunities remain for improvement in the information provided, and understanding needs of specific groups including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

CONCLUSION

Findings suggest Australian women understand the importance of sleeping position in late pregnancy. Inconsistencies in information provided remain and may be addressed through public awareness campaigns targeting women and their care providers.

Financial analysis of revision knee surgery at a tertiary referral centre as classified according to the Revision Knee Complexity Classification (RKCC)

BACKGROUND

Revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA) can be complex, with greater costs to the treating hospital than primary TKA. A rTKA regional network has been proposed in England. The aim of this work was to accurately quantify current costs and reimbursement for the rTKA service and to assess whether costs are proportional to case complexity at a tertiary referral centre within the National Health Service (NHS).

METHODS

A review of all rTKA performed at our institution over two consecutive financial years (2017-2019) was performed. Cases were classified according to the Revision Knee Complexity Classification (RKCC) and by mode of failure; "infected" and "non-infected". Financial data was acquired through Patient-Level Information and Costing System (PLICS). The primary outcome was the financial difference between tariff and cost per episode. Comparisons between groups were analysed using analysis of variance and two-tailed unpaired t-test as appropriate.

RESULTS

159 patients underwent 188 rTKA procedures. Length of stay and cost significantly increased between complexity groups (p < 0.0001) and for infected revisions (p < 0.0001). All groups sustained a mean deficit but this significantly increased with revision complexity (from £1,903 to £5,269 per case) and for infected revisions. The total deficit to the Trust for the two-year rTKA service was £667,091.

CONCLUSIONS

The current level of NHS reimbursement are inadequate for centres that offer rTKA and should be more closely aligned to case complexity. An increase in the most complex rTKA at major revision centres will undoubtedly place an even greater strain on the finances of these units.

Consensus exercise identifying priorities for research in the field of general surgery of childhood in the UK

BACKGROUND

The evidence base underlying clinical practice in children's general surgery is poor and high-quality collaborative clinical research is required to address current treatment uncertainties. The aim of this study was, through a consensus process, to identify research priorities for clinical research in this field amongst surgeons who treat children.

METHODS

Questions were invited in a scoping survey amongst general surgeons and specialist paediatric surgeons. These were refined by the study team and subsequently prioritized in a two-stage modified Delphi process.

RESULTS

In the scoping survey, a total of 226 questions covering a broad scope of children's elective and emergency general surgery were submitted by 76 different clinicians. These were refined to 71 research questions for prioritization. A total of 168 clinicians took part in stage one of the prioritization process, and 157 in stage two. A 'top 10' list of priority research questions was generated for both elective and emergency general surgery of childhood. These cover a range of conditions and concepts, including inguinal hernia, undescended testis, appendicitis, abdominal trauma and enhanced recovery pathways.

CONCLUSION

Through consensus amongst surgeons who treat children, 10 priority research questions for each of the elective and emergency fields have been identified. These should provide a basis for the development of high-quality multicentre research projects to address these questions, and ultimately improve outcomes for children requiring surgical care.

Implementation and evaluation of a quality improvement initiative to reduce late gestation stillbirths in Australia: Safer Baby Bundle study protocol

BACKGROUND

In 2015, the stillbirth rate after 28 weeks (late gestation) in Australia was 35% higher than countries with the lowest rates globally. Reductions in late gestation stillbirth rates have steadily improved in Australia. However, to amplify and sustain reductions, more needs to be done to reduce practice variation and address sub-optimal care. Implementing bundles for maternity care improvement in the UK have been associated with a 20% reduction in stillbirth rates. A similar approach is underway in Australia; the Safer Baby Bundle (SBB) with five elements: 1) supporting women to stop smoking in pregnancy, 2) improving detection and management of fetal growth restriction, 3) raising awareness and improving care for women with decreased fetal movements, 4) improving awareness of maternal safe going-to-sleep position in late pregnancy, 5) improving decision making about the timing of birth for women with risk factors for stillbirth.

METHODS

This is a mixed-methods study of maternity services across three Australian states; Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales. The study includes evaluation of 'targeted' implementer sites (combined total approximately 113,000 births annually, 50% of births in these states) and monitoring of key outcomes state-wide across all maternity services. Progressive implementation over 2.5 years, managed by state Departments of Health, commenced from mid-2019. This study will determine the impact of implementing the SBB on maternity services and perinatal outcomes, specifically for reducing late gestation stillbirth. Comprehensive process, impact, and outcome evaluations will be conducted using routinely collected perinatal data, pre- and post- implementation surveys, clinical audits, focus group discussions and interviews. Evaluations explore the views and experiences of clinicians embedding the SBB into routine practice as well as women's experience with care and the acceptability of the initiative.

DISCUSSION

This protocol describes the evaluation of the SBB initiative and will provide evidence for the value of a systematic, but pragmatic, approach to strategies to reduce the evidence-practice gaps across maternity services. We hypothesise successful implementation and uptake across three Australian states (amplified nationally) will be effective in reducing late gestation stillbirths to that of the best performing countries globally, equating to at least 150 lives saved annually.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The Safer Baby Bundle Study was retrospectively registered on the ACTRN12619001777189 database, date assigned 16/12/2019.

Evaluation of a urology specialist therapeutic radiographer implemented radiotherapy pathway for prostate cancer patients

INTRODUCTION

The role of the Urology Specialist Therapeutic Radiographer (USTR) was introduced to support a busy NHS uro-oncology practice. Key objectives were to improve patient preparedness for and experience of radiotherapy, focussed on prostate cancer. Pre-radiotherapy information seminars were developed, and on-treatment patient review managed by the USTRs. To evaluate the revamped patient pathway and direct further improvements, a patient experience survey was designed.

METHODS

An 18-point patient questionnaire was produced. The questionnaire captured patient experience and preparedness; pre, during and at completion of treatment. The patient population comprised men receiving radiotherapy for primary prostate cancer within one UK Trust.

RESULTS

Two-hundred and fifty-one responses were received. Seventy-three percent of patients felt completely prepared for radiotherapy, higher in those who attended a seminar (77%) compared to those who did not (61%). Eighty-nine and eighty-six percent of respondents were completely satisfied with verbal and written information received prior to commencing radiotherapy respectively. Seventy-three percent of responders would have found additional resources helpful. With respect to on-treatment clinics; eighty-five percent were seen on time or within 20 minutes, eighty-three percent felt fully involved in decisions regarding their care and ninety-one percent reported complete satisfaction with the knowledge of the health care professional reviewing them. The follow-up process was completely understood by eighty-eight percent and overall patient experience rated excellent by eighty-five percent of responders.

CONCLUSION

The revamped pathway implemented by USTRs has achieved high levels of satisfaction at all stages of the prostate patient's radiotherapy. By diversifying the format of information giving, the USTRs hope to further meet the information needs of patients.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Validation of a prostate cancer radiotherapy pathway which employs USTRs and utilises a patient preparation seminar. This model could support the introduction of Specialist Therapeutic Radiographers in other Trusts and treatment sites.

Supervised machine learning for the prediction of infection on admission to hospital: a prospective observational cohort study

BACKGROUND

Infection diagnosis can be challenging, relying on clinical judgement and non-specific markers of infection. We evaluated a supervised machine learning (SML) algorithm for diagnosing bacterial infection using routinely available blood parameters on presentation to hospital.

METHODS

An SML algorithm was developed to classify cases into infection versus no infection using microbiology records and six available blood parameters (C-reactive protein, white cell count, bilirubin, creatinine, ALT and alkaline phosphatase) from 160203 individuals. A cohort of patients admitted to hospital over a 6 month period had their admission blood parameters prospectively inputted into the SML algorithm. They were prospectively followed up from admission to classify those who fulfilled clinical case criteria for a community-acquired bacterial infection within 72 h of admission using a pre-determined definition. Predictive ability was assessed using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) with cut-off values for optimal sensitivity and specificity explored.

RESULTS

One hundred and four individuals were included prospectively. The median (range) cohort age was 65 (21-98)  years. The majority were female (56/104; 54%). Thirty-six (35%) were diagnosed with infection in the first 72 h of admission. Overall, 44/104 (42%) individuals had microbiological investigations performed. Treatment was prescribed for 33/36 (92%) of infected individuals and 4/68 (6%) of those with no identifiable bacterial infection. Mean (SD) likelihood estimates for those with and without infection were significantly different. The infection group had a likelihood of 0.80 (0.09) and the non-infection group 0.50 (0.29) (P < 0.01; 95% CI: 0.20-0.40). ROC AUC was 0.84 (95% CI: 0.76-0.91).

CONCLUSIONS

An SML algorithm was able to diagnose infection in individuals presenting to hospital using routinely available blood parameters.

A United Kingdom Multicenter Study of Icodextrin in Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis

While glucose remains the only osmotic agent used universally for peritoneal dialysis, its various shortcomings for the long dwell equilibration continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) has led to a search for alternative agents. The large molecular weight group has been of interest, because these agents theoretically would lead to greater ultrafiltration and a better metabolic profile. Mostsubstances (dextrans, charged macromolecules) have been found unsuitable for reasons of insolubility, allergenicity, and peritoneal toxicity. Short-chain polypeptides have been studied in humans, but the experience is limited, and there is the potential for allergenicity with long-term use.

The only large molecular weight agent that has been studied in some detail but hitherto in one center only and in a limited number of patients is glucose polymer (generic name, icodextrin). Because of the promise shown by these initial studies, a randomized controlled multicenter investigation of icodextrin in CAPD (MIDAS Study Group) was undertaken to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy by comparing daily overnight (8 12 hours) use of a slightly hypo-osmolar solution (282 mOsm/ kg) with 1.36% (346 mOsm/kg) and 3.86% (484 mOsm/kg) glucose exchanges. Over a 6-month period 209 patients from 11 centers in the United Kingdom were randomized, with 106 allocated to receive icodextrin (study group) and 103 to remain on glucose (control group). One hundred and thirty-eight patients completed the 6-month study (71 control, 67 study).

The mean net ultrafiltration overnight with icodextrin was 3.5 times greater than 1.36% at 8 hours and 5.5 times greater at 12 hours (p<0.0001), but no different from that of 3.86% glucose at 8 and 12 hours (although for the latter dwell the net mean ultrafiltration volume was greater by about 140 mL). Biochemical profiles were no different except for a small fall in serum sodium and chloride in the icodextrin group. The mean serum maltose rose to a steady-state level of 1.2 g/L within 2 weeks and remained stable. The mean carbohydrate absorbed for icodextrin (29±5 g) was lower than with 3.86% glucose (62±5 g). The use of icodextrin did not increase the incidence of peritonitis, nor did it alter its outcome, affect uptake of icodextrin from the peritoneum, alter serum osmolality or sodium levels. There were no adverse effects associated with the use of icodextrin, and the overall CAPD-related symptom score was significantly better for icodextrin than control subjects.

This study and subsequent extensive use and clinical experience has demonstrated that the daily use of an iso-osmolar icodextrin solution is generally well tolerated, effective, and could replace the overnight use of hyperosmotic glucose solution. Its use was of equal efficacy in peritonitis and in diabetic patients. The elevated levels of maltose did not appear to have any clinical side effects.

Peritonitis Occurrence in a Multicenter Study of Icodextrin and Glucose in Capd

Objective

To compare peritonitis occurrence and outcome in a large U.K. study Multicentre Investigation of Icodextrin in Ambulatory Dialysis (MIDAS).

Design

Prospective, randomized, controlled 6-month comparison of icodextrin with glucose for the long dwell in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients.

Setting

Eleven CAPD units in U.K. teaching hospitals.

Patients

A total of 209 patients established on CAPD for at least 3 months (103 control, 106 icodextrin). Twentythree control (C) and 22 icodextrin (I) patients experienced peritonitis during the study.

Intervention

Patients who had peritonitis remained on treatment (unless CAPD was withdrawn, temporarily or permanently).

Main Outcome Measures

The main outcome measures were the rate of peritonitis and duration of CAPD treatment prestudy; the rate of peritonitis episodes and their outcome during study; the effect of peritonitis on laboratory variables, serum icodextrin metabolites, and ultrafiltration efficacy.

Results

Prestudy: Nine (39%) of C but 14 (64%) of I patients had suffered previous peritonitis episode(s), with overall rates of 0.58 and 0.78 episodes per patientyear, respectively.

During study

There were 31 C episodes and 35 I episodes, with overall rates of 0.76 and 0.93 per patientyear, respectively. The increase in the C and I groups was 31% and 19%, respectively. Serum osmolality and sodium levels were unaffected by peritonitis, and there was no increase in serum icodextrin metabolites during peritonitis. Overnight ultrafiltration volume during peritonitis (mean±SD) declined slightly from 218±354 mL to 185±299 mL (NS) in the control group, but increased in the icodextrin group from 570±146 mL to 723±218 mL (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Using icodextrin for the long dwell in CAPD does not increase the rate of peritonitis, nor does it alter the outcome of peritonitis. Peritonitis does not affect uptake of icodextrin from the peritoneum.

My Baby's Movements: a stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial to raise maternal awareness of fetal movements during pregnancy study protocol

Background

Stillbirth is a devastating pregnancy outcome that has a profound and lasting impact on women and families. Globally, there are over 2.6 million stillbirths annually and progress in reducing these deaths has been slow. Maternal perception of decreased fetal movements (DFM) is strongly associated with stillbirth. However, maternal awareness of DFM and clinical management of women reporting DFM is often suboptimal. The My Baby’s Movements trial aims to evaluate an intervention package for maternity services including a mobile phone application for women and clinician education (MBM intervention) in reducing late gestation stillbirth rates.

Methods/design

This is a stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial with sequential introduction of the MBM intervention to 8 groups of 3–5 hospitals at four-monthly intervals over 3 years.

The target population is women with a singleton pregnancy, without lethal fetal abnormality, attending for antenatal care and clinicians providing maternity care at 26 maternity services in Australia and New Zealand. The primary outcome is stillbirth from 28 weeks’ gestation. Secondary outcomes address: a) neonatal morbidity and mortality; b) maternal psychosocial outcomes and health-seeking behaviour; c) health services utilisation; d) women’s and clinicians’ knowledge of fetal movements; and e) cost. 256,700 births (average of 3170 per hospital) will detect a 30% reduction in stillbirth rates from 3/1000 births to 2/1000 births, assuming a significance level of 5%. Analysis will utilise generalised linear mixed models.

Discussion

Maternal perception of DFM is a marker of an at-risk pregnancy and commonly precedes a stillbirth. MBM offers a simple, inexpensive resource to reduce the number of stillborn babies, and families suffering the distressing consequences of such a loss. This large pragmatic trial will provide evidence on benefits and potential harms of raising awareness of DFM using a mobile phone app.

Trial registration

ACTRN12614000291684. Registered 19 March 2014.

Version

Protocol Version 6.1, February 2018.

A-41 Verbal Fluency and Switching Accuracy Differences in Pediatric Epilepsy Pre- and Post- Surgery

Objective

In patients with epilepsy, research is variable with regard to language difficulties. Previous research generally focuses on phonemic and semantic verbal fluency in pediatric populations post-surgery; however, few studies examine category switching accuracy. This study compared phonemic fluency, categorical fluency, switching accuracy, and the number of switches among pre-surgical and post-surgical groups.

Methods

Participants included 31 epilepsy patients (age 5-20 years old; M = 12.23 years pre-surgery; M = 14.72 years post-surgery; 20 males, 11 females) who underwent neuropsychological evaluations prior to and following open brain resection surgery (i.e., temporal lobectomy, temporal resection, frontal lobectomy). Verbal Fluency was assessed by the Delis-Kaplan Executive Functioning System (D-KEFS), measuring phonemic fluency, categorical fluency, switching accuracy, and the number of switches.

Results

Statistically significant differences were found between groups on the D-KEFS Verbal Fluency subtest using a one-way ANOVA. Specifically, switching accuracy decreased following surgery, F(1,25) = 6.470, p = 0.02 (M = 104.44 pre-surgery, M = 89.44 post-surgery). Further, a downward trend was noted regarding the number of switches between the two groups, F (1, 26) = 3.172, p = 0.09; however, no differences were found in phonemic, F(1,34) = 0.854, p = 0.63, and categorical, F(1,35) = 0.828, p = 0.37, fluency tasks.

Conclusions

Results from this study revealed a decrease in the participants ability to accurately switch between verbal categories following brain resection surgery. Similarly, a downward trend was noted for number of switches completed pre- and post- surgery. Consistent with previous research, phonemic and semantic verbal fluency tasks remain unchanged post-surgery. Implications of this study highlight the need to assess executive functioning after surgery as it has an impact on treatment outcome and school planning.