Objective To identify an evidence-based treatment for an elderly patient with intertrochanteric fractures. Methods Clinical problems were presented on the basis of the patient’s conditions, and evidence was collected from the NGC (2000 to 2009), The Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2009), TRIP Database, PubMed (1966 to 2009) and CBM (1978 to 2009). Treating strategies were formulated in terms of the three-combination principle (best evidence, the doctor’s professional knowledge and the patient’s desire). Results Three guidelines and sixteen studies were included. The current evidence indicated that surgery was the preferred solution to intertrochanteric fractures of the elderly patient. The sliding hip screw (SHS) appeared superior to others. There was insufficient evidence to support the routine use of closed suction drainage in orthopedic surgeries. Early surgery was associated with shorter hospital stay and improved mortality. Antibiotic prophylaxis significantly reduced infections. In order to lower the risk of venous thromboembolism, pharmacological prophylaxis should be carried out when the patient was admitted to hospital and be assisted with mechanical prophylaxis after surgery. Nutritional supplementation was conducive to the recovery of the patient. Rehabilitation ought to be performed as soon as possible. Considering the patient’s condition, the treatment option was established according to the available evidence and guidelines. Short-term follow-up showed a good outcome. Conclusion Through the evidence-based method, an individual treatment plan could obviously improve the treatment effect and prognosis.
Esophageal cancer (EC) is the eighth dangerous cancer in the world. As the global population ages, the management of elderly patients with EC poses a challenge as they have many aging-associated diseases and physiological changes. In addition, the data on the tolerability of cancer treatment and the use of combined therapies in the patients to guide their treatment are limited. In this paper, we reviewed the literatures and discussed the effect of surgical resection and the potential complications of elderly patients. We reviewed the basic principles of combined therapy and the potential benefits of chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy for patients and focused on the management of elderly patients with EC as well as the role of comprehensive assessment for aging to provide treatment options for elderly patients.
Objective To investigate the operative technique and the effectiveness of perforator flaps for the treatment of elderly patients with ischia-sacral ulcers. Methods Between January 2005 and June 2010, 29 elderly patients with ischia-sacral ulcers were treated. There were 16 males and 13 females, aged from 61 to 75 years (mean, 68 years), including 11 cases of degree III and 18 cases of degree IV according to the standard of the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel(NPUAP). The disease duration was from 5 months to 10 years (median, 5.5 years). The size of ulcers ranged from 7 cm × 6 cm to 12 cm × 10 cm. Of them, 8 cases were companied by cerebral vascular disorders, 6 cases by Alzheimer disease, 11 cases by paraplegia, and 4 cases by others. The flap size ranged from 8 cm × 6 cm to 14 cm × 12 cm. The donor sites were sutured directly. Results Distal flap necrosis occurred in 3 cases (10.3%) 2 days after operation and healed after symptomatic treatment, and the remaining flaps survived and wound healed by first intention with first intention rate of 89.7%. The incisions of donor sites healed primarily. Two cases (6.9%) had infection 1 week after operation and 1 case (3.4%) had wound dehiscence 10 days after operation. Twenty-seven patients were followed up 6 months to 5 years (mean, 3 years). Two cases recurred at 1 and 3 years after operation, respectively. One died of infection, and the other healed by debridement and suture. The flaps of other patients had good texture, color, and elasticity. Conclusion As long as the indications are controlled strictly, good effectiveness can be achieved in the treatment of elderly patients with ischia-sacral ulcers by using perforator flaps.
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical outcomes of open reduction and internal fixation by posterolateral and posteromedial approaches for treating posterior Pilon fractures in elderly patients. MethodsBetween August 2009 and August 2014, 20 elderly patients with posterior Pilon fractures were treated with open reduction and internal fixation by posterolateral and posteromedial approaches. There were 14 males and 6 females, aged from 66 to 83 years (mean, 72.7 years). The causes were falling injury in 11 cases and traffic accident injury in 9 cases. All the patients had lateral malleolus and medial malleolus fractures. The time from injury to operation was 7-14 days (mean, 8.6 days). The posterolateral incision was made to expose the posterolateral bone fragments of posterior malleolus and lateral malleolus fracture, and the posteromedial incision was made to expose the posteromedial fracture fragments of posterior malleolus and medial malleolus fracture. After reduction, fracture was fixed with locking plate or cannulated screw. All the patients began to functional exercise at 1 day after operation. ResultsThe operation time was 60-110 minutes (mean, 92 minutes). The incisions healed primarily in all patients. There were no complications of incision dehiscence, infection, implant exposure, and nerve damage. No irritation sign of tendon was observed. All 20 cases were followed up for 12-18 months (mean, 13 months). The X-ray films showed that fracture healed at 3-9 months, with an average of 5.2 months. During follow-up period, no loosening or breakage of the implant was observed. The other patients could walk normally except 2 patients (over 80 years old) who could walk with crutch. According to American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, the results were excellent in 12 cases, good in 4 cases, and fair in 4 cases; the excellent and good rate was 80%. ConclusionA combination of posterolateral approach and posteromedial approach for open reduction and fixation of posterior Pilon fractures can achieve satisfactory effect in elderly patients. It has the advantages of protecting ankle blood supply and avoiding the soft tissue necrosis and implants exposure.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of the proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) and dynamic hip screw (DHS) in the treatment of elderly patients with intertrochanteric fractures. Methods Between May 2007 and May 2010, 63 elderly patients with intertrochanteric fractures were treated, and fractures were fixed with PFNA in 31 patients (PFNA group) and with DHS in 32 patients (DHS group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, injury cause, disease duration, and fracture type between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). Results All incisions healed by first intention. The incision length, operation time, and blood loss in PFNA group were significantly less than those in DHS group (P lt; 0.05). The averagefollow-up time was 13.6 months in PFNA group and was 13.8 months in DHS group. The fracture heal ing time was (11.80 ± 1.32) weeks in PFNA group and was (12.21 ± 1.26) weeks in DHS group, showing no significant difference (t=1.23, P=0.29). The complication rate was 0 in PFNA group and was 12.5% (4/32) in DHS group, showing no significant difference (P=0.06). After 1 year, Harris hip score of PFNA group (86.55 ± 10.32) was higher than that of DHS group (80.36 ±11.18) (t=2.28, P=0.03). Conclusion There are two surgical methods to treat intertrochanteric fractures in the elderly patient: PFNA and DHS, and each has advantages; for unstable intertrochanteric fractures, PFNA treatment is the first choice.
Objective To evaluate the effect of ultrasound guided percutaneous drainage on acute perforation of gastroduodenal ulcer in elderly patients. Methods The clinical features, treatments, and the curative effects of 86 elderly cases (≥65 years) of acute perforation of gastroduodenal ulcer in our hospital between January 2004 and October 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. Twenty-one cases were treated by ultrasound guided percutaneous drainage (drainage group), and 65 cases were treated by exploring operation (operation group). Results Drainage group was cured and had no complications. In 15 patients which accepted recheck one month after drainage, gastroscope showed the ulcer healed in 12 cases， and improved in 3 cases. In operation group, 63 cases were cured and 2 cases died. Compared with the drainage group, there was no significant difference in cure rate (Pgt;0.05). However, 11 patients had operative complications in operation group, which was significantly more than that in the drainage group （Plt;0.05）. In 45 patients which accepted recheck one month after operation, gastroscope showed the ulcer healed in 38 cases， and improved in 7 cases. Conclusion For elderly patients with acute perforation of gastroduodenal ulcer， if the patients do not fit for exploring operation， ultrasound guided percutaneous drainage is proved to be a simple, safe, and effective means.
Objective Methods of evidence-based medicine were used to make an individulized treatment plan concerning newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus in elderly patients. Method After clinical problems were put forward, evidence was collected from third issue, 2003, Cochrane Library, Medline (PubMed 1990.1-2003.2) and http:// sumsearch.uthscsa.edu/ searchform4.htm according to the search strategy. Subject words were: diabetes mellitus non-insulin-dependent; self-monitor of blood glucose; micro-and macro-vascular complications; sulphonylureas; insulin ; aspirin; metformin; acarbose; self-monitor of blood glucose; older patient; hypertension management; Lipid management; RCT; human; meta-analysis；systmatic review. Results A total of 112 RCTs, and 24 systematic reviews were identified. A rational treatment plan was made upon a serious evaluation of the data. After one year follow-up, the plan was proved optimal. Conclusions The treatment efficacy in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus in the elderly has been improved by determining an individulized treatment plan according to evidence-based methods.
目的 调查安置永久性人工心脏起搏器的老年患者术前焦虑状况，为制订护理对策提供依据。 方法 2004年7月-2008年7月收治需安置永久性人工心脏起搏器的心脏病患者78例，术前采用焦虑自评量表（SAS）对其进行问卷调查，并采用自制一般情况问卷调查了解情况。 结果 植入永久性心脏起搏器的老年患者术前SAS得分高于国内常模（Plt;0.05）。根据自制调查问卷结果，差异有统计学意义（Plt;0.05）的项目:老年患者随年龄增长焦虑量表评分降低；丧偶者焦虑评分高于有配偶者；完全公费、部分公费、自费的焦虑量表评分依次增高；老年患者对起搏器知识了解程度越少，焦虑评分越高；无家人陪伴者比有家人陪伴者焦虑评分高。而性别、文化水平差异无统计学意义。 结论 植入永久性起搏器的老年患者术前多数存在焦虑情绪，且焦虑与年龄、婚姻、费用支付方式、有无家人陪伴、相关知识等有一定关系，医护人员应针对性地做好患者术前护理，帮助患者面对现实，以积极的心态接受手术治疗。