THE EFFECTS OF GENTAMICIN-IMPREGNATED COLLAGEN SPONGE VERSUS GENTAMICIN-IMPREGNATED POLYMETHYLMETHACRYLATE BEADS IN PATIENTS WITH OSTEOMYELITIS

Objective: The usage of antibiotic-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) beads is regarded as the gold standard for local antibiotic delivery. However, the relatively new antibiotic-impregnated collagen sponge has multiple advantages over it. The objective of this study is to compare the measurable effects between gentamicin-impregnated collagen sponge and gentamicin-impregnated (PMMA) beads in patients with osteomyelitis.Methods: This is a case–control study which involved 60 patients who were diagnosed with osteomyelitis between January 2014 and June 2015, and underwent first surgical debridement with application of either gentamicin-impregnated collagen sponge (n=28) or gentamicin-impregnated PMMA beads (n=32). The numbers of debridement, trend of blood parameters, duration of hospitalization, and total duration of systemic antibiotic therapy needed to be completed were reviewed from the patients' file.Results: A total of 53 patients of 60 were diagnosed with osteomyelitis of the lower limbs, while the remaining seven were involving the upper limbs. The gentamicin-impregnated collagen sponge group has significant lower reoperative rate (p<0.05) and also significant reduction of total white cell count in 6 weeks (p<0.05). The two groups showed no statistical difference in regard of duration of hospital admission, duration of systemic antibiotic therapy completed, and the reduction of C-reactive protein at 6 weeks post-debridement.Conclusion: This study reiterates the efficacy of gentamicin-impregnated collagen sponge that results in lower reoperative rate as compared to conventional gentamicin-impregnated PMMA beads

Incidence and clinicopathological features of colorectal cancer among multi-ethnic patients in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: a hospital-based retrospective analysis over two decades

Background The incidence rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) in Asian countries is increasing. Furthermore, recent studies have shown a concerning rise in the incidence of CRC among younger patients aged less than 50 years. This study aimed to analyze the incidence trends and clinicopathological features in patients with early-onset CRC (EOCRC) and later-onset CRC (at age ≥ 50 years). Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 946 patients with CRC diagnosed from 1997 to 2017 at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre. The time trend was assessed by dividing the two decades into four 5-year periods. The mean age-standardized and age-specific incidence rates were calculated by using the 5-year cumulative population of Kuala Lumpur and World Health Organization standard population. The mean incidence was expressed per 100,000 person-years. Results After a stable (all age groups) CRC incidence rate during the first decade (3.00 per 100,000 and 3.85 per 100,000), it sharply increased to 6.12 per 100,000 in the 2008–2012 period before decreasing to 4.54 per 100,000 in the 2013–2017 period. The CRC incidence trend in later-onset CRC showed a decrease in the 2013–2017 period. Contrariwise, for age groups of 40–44 and 45–49 years, the trends showed an increase in the latter 15 years of the study period (40–44 years: 1.44 to 1.92 to 2.3 per 100,000; 45–49 years: 2.87 to 2.94 to 4.01 per 100,000). Malays’ EOCRC incidence rate increased from 2008–2012 to 2013–2017 for both the age groups 40–44 years (1.46 to 2.89 per 100,000) and 45–49 years (2.73 to 6.51 per 100,000). Nearly one-fifth of EOCRC cases were diagnosed at an advanced stage (Dukes D: 19.9%), and the majority of them had rectal cancer (72.8%). Conclusion The incidence of EOCRC increased over the period 1997–2017; the patients were predominantly Malays, diagnosed at a later stage, and with cancer commonly localized in the rectal region. All the relevant stakeholders need to work on the management and prevention of CRC in Malaysia