Intraoperative Mannitol Administration Increases the Risk of Postoperative Chronic Subdural Hemorrhage After Unruptured Aneurysm Surgery

Nationwide Readmission Rates and Hospital Charges for Patients With Surgical Evacuation of Nontraumatic Subdural Hematomas: Part 2-Burr Hole Craniostomy

BACKGROUND

Nontraumatic subdural hematoma (SDH) is a common neurological disease that causes extensive morbidity and mortality. Craniotomy or burr hole craniostomy (BHC) is indicated for symptomatic lesions, but both are associated with high recurrence rates. Although extensive research exists on postoperative complications after BHCs, few studies have examined the underlying causes and predictors of unplanned 30-day hospital readmissions at the national level.

OBJECTIVE

To compare causes for hospital readmission within 30 days after surgical SDH evacuation with BHC and evaluate readmission rates and independent predictors of readmission.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort observational study was designed using the Nationwide Readmissions Database. We identified patients who had undergone BHC for SDH evacuation (2010-2015). National estimates and variances within the cohort were calculated after stratifying, hospital clustering, and weighting variables.

RESULTS

We analyzed 2753 patients who had BHC for SDH evacuation: 675 (24.5%) had at least one 30-day readmission. Annual readmission rates did not vary across the study period ( P = .60). The most common cause of readmission was recurrent SDH (n = 630, 93.3%), and the next most common was postoperative infection (n = 12, 1.8%). Comorbidities significantly associated with readmission included fluid and electrolyte disorders, chronic blood loss anemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression, liver disease, and psychosis ( P ≤ .04), but statistically significant independent predictors for readmission included only chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and fluid and electrolyte disorders ( P ≤ .007).

CONCLUSION

These national trends in 30-day readmission rates after nontraumatic SDH evacuation by BHC not otherwise published provide quality benchmarks that can aid national quality improvement efforts.

Cerebral Angiography under Artificial Intelligence Algorithm in the Design of Nursing Cooperation Plan for Intracranial Aneurysm Patients in Craniotomy Clipping

This research was to investigate the value of indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) based on maximum interclass variance (Otsu) method in the nursing plan of intracranial aneurysm clipping (ICAC) for intracranial aneurysm patients. An Otsu algorithm was selected to optimize the original images with the optimal threshold. In addition, the algorithm was applied to ICGA images of 86 patients with intracranial aneurysms, who were randomly divided into an experimental group (using ICGA + ICAC+ perioperative nursing) and a control group (ICAC + conventional nursing), to observe the clinical indicators, treatment, complications, nursing satisfaction, and quality of life of patients in two groups. The results showed that the mean square error (MSE), structural similarity (SSIM), and shape error (SE) were 3.71, 0.84, and 0.47, respectively. The length of hospital stay in the experimental group (19.9 ± 3.5 days) was significantly shorter than that in the control group (23.2 ± 3.0 days), the rate of excellent treatment was significantly higher than that in the control group, and the incidence of complications was lower. WHOQOL-BREF scores of the two groups after nursing intervention were higher than before, and the score in the experimental group was higher than the control group. In addition, the nursing satisfaction was also significantly higher in the experimental group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In conclusion, ICGA based on the Otsu method could effectively evaluate the cerebrovascular morphology during craniotomy and ICAP and improve the surgical efficacy. Combined with perioperative nursing intervention, it could greatly reduce the incidence of postoperative complications, improve the treatment effect and quality of life, and enhance the long-term prognosis.

Systemic side effects of glaucoma medications

Glaucoma is a progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells leading to visual field loss. Lowering intraocular pressure is currently the only modifiable risk factor to slow glaucoma progression. Intraocular pressure-lowering options include topical and systemic medications, lasers, and surgical procedures. Glaucoma eye drops play a major role in treating this blinding disease. Similar to all medications, the glaucoma medications have their own adverse effects. The majority of glaucoma medications work by stimulating or inhibiting adrenergic, cholinergic, and prostaglandin receptors, which are distributed all over the body. Therefore, the glaucoma medications can affect organs other than the eye. This review will discuss the systemic adverse effects of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, sympathomimetics, para-sympathomimetics, beta blockers, prostaglandin analogs, hyperosmotic agents, and novel glaucoma medications with a stress on pregnant patients, breastfeeding mothers, and paediatric patients.