Radiofrequency ablation combined with esophageal stent in the treatment of malignant esophageal stenosis: A single-center prospective study

Application effect of continuous nursing in patients with advanced esophageal cancer after esophageal stent implantation

OBJECTIVE

To explore the advantages of continuous nursing for patients with advanced esophageal cancer after esophageal stent implantation.

METHODS

A total of 48 patients with advanced esophageal cancer who successfully received esophageal stent implantation in the Department of Oncology, at the First People's Hospital Affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University were divided into the control group (24 cases, receiving routine discharge guidance) and the experimental group (24 cases, receiving continuous nursing through the issuance of a home nursing instruction handbook, dietary transition guidance after discharge, nutrition and food evaluation, and guidance on daily activities, medication, and prevention of complications, etc.). The quality of life (EORTCQLQ-C30), nutritional status (MNA score and the levels of hemoglobin (Hb), serum total protein (TP) and albumin (Alb)), anxious/depressive mental state (HAMA, HAMD), complications and satisfaction were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

EORTCQLQ-C30, HAMA and HAMD scores of the two groups three months after discharge were lower than those before discharge, and those of the experimental group were lower than those of the control group (all P<0.05). The MNA score and the levels of Hb, TP and Alb in the experimental group three months after discharge had no significant changes compared with those before discharge (all P>0.05), while the MNA score and the levels of Hb, TP and Alb in the control group three months after discharge were lower than those before discharge and those in the experimental group (all P<0.05). The experimental group's nursing satisfaction was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The application of continuous nursing in patients with advanced esophageal cancer after esophageal stent implantation can effectively improve the patients' adverse mental state, nutritional status and quality of life.

Evaluating the Efficacy of VitalStim Electrical Stimulation Combined with Swallowing Function Training for Treating Dysphagia following an Acute Stroke

OBJECTIVES

This study explored the clinical efficacy of VitalStim electrical stimulation combined with swallowing function training for patients with dysphagia following an acute stroke.

METHODS

Seventy-two patients with dysphagia following an acute stroke were admitted to our hospital and were further divided into two groups using prospective research methods. There were 36 cases in each group according to the random number table method. The control group received conventional medical treatment and swallowing function training while the experimental group received conventional medical treatment and VitalStim electrical stimulation combined with swallowing function training.

RESULTS

The overall response rate of the experimental group (94.44%) was higher than that of the control group (77.78%), and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Compared with before treatment, the upward and forward movement speeds of the hyoid bone, anterior movement speed, the grading score of the Kubota drinking water test, Caiteng's grading score, serum superoxide dismutase, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and norepinephrine levels, Fugl-Meyer Assessment score, and multiple quality of life scores of the two groups showed improvement after treatment. While the standard swallowing assessment score, serum malondialdehyde level, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score decreased, the aforementioned indices showed a significant improvement in the experimental group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study indicate that VitalStim electrical stimulation combined with swallowing function is effective for treating dysphagia following an acute stroke. It can effectively improve swallowing, neurological, and limb motor functions, reduce complications, promote physical recovery, and improve overall quality of life of patients.