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Postoperative Patients (postoperative + patient)
Selected AbstractsStent Dilatation of a Right Ventricle to Pulmonary Artery Conduit in a Postoperative Patient with Hypoplastic Left Heart SyndromeCONGENITAL HEART DISEASE, Issue 2 2008Rowan Walsh MD ABSTRACT A 10-day-old child with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) underwent first-stage palliation for HLHS, Norwood procedure with a Sano modification, i.e., placement of a right ventricular to pulmonary artery (RV-PA) conduit. The patient developed progressively worsening systemic oxygen desaturation in the immediate postoperative period. Stenosis of the proximal RV-PA conduit was diagnosed by echocardiography. In the catheterization laboratory stent placement in the conduit was performed. This resulted in increased systemic oxygen saturation. The patient was eventually discharged from the hospital with adequate oxygen saturations. [source] Apical Ballooning Syndrome in a Postoperative Patient with Normal Microvascular Perfusion by Myocardial Contrast EchocardiographyECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 7 2005Gautam Ramakrishna M.D. Apical ballooning syndrome is classically described as transient left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, marked LV akinesia, and normal or near-normal coronary arteries. The etiology is unclear and there is limited information based on case reports and small case series. We describe a 35-year-old woman who underwent surgical hepatectomy and developed apical ballooning syndrome in the postoperative period. The novel use of myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) in this setting demonstrated intact microvascular perfusion and lack of coronary flow-limiting abnormalities despite apical akinesis. In select patients with similar clinical presentations, performing MCE is safe and may be pursued as an alternative to invasive coronary angiography. [source] Postoperative elevated cortisol excretion is not associated with suppression of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin excretionACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 1 2005J. Derenzo This study tests the hypothesis that elevated postoperative excretion of cortisol is associated with suppression of the nocturnal excretion of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, the chief metabolite of the circadian hormone, melatonin. Postoperative patients demonstrate circadian rhythm disturbances and suppression of nocturnal melatonin plasma concentration. Since the nocturnal surge in melatonin concentration in normal volunteers is time-locked to the circadian nadir of cortisol concentration, perhaps the attenuation of the nocturnal melatonin surge in postoperative patients results from prolonged elevation in the plasma cortisol concentration. In this observational study performed in 21 patients having unilateral hip or knee arthroplasty, urine was collected every 4 h for the first 48 h after surgery for measurement of urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (EIA) and free cortisol (RIA) excretion. The total (P < 0.05) and peak (P < 0.02) nocturnal 6-sulfatoxymelatonin excretions were lower on the first than the second postoperative night. The nocturnal cortisol nadir preceded the 6-sulfatoxymelatonin surge in 20% of the subjects on night 1 and in 75% of the subjects on night 2. The lack of a consistent relationship between the magnitude or timing of cortisol excretion and 6-sulfatoxymelatonin excretion suggests that cortisol does not mediate postoperative 6-sulfatoxymelatonin suppression. [source] Acute Adaptation to Volume Unloading of the Functional Single Ventricle in Children Undergoing Bidirectional Glenn AnastomosisCONGENITAL HEART DISEASE, Issue 2 2009Catherine Ikemba MD ABSTRACT Objective., Volume unloading of the functional single ventricle after a bidirectional Glenn anastomosis (BDG) prior to 1 year of age leads to improved global ventricular function as measured by the myocardial performance index (MPI), a Doppler-derived measurement of combined systolic and diastolic ventricular function. Systolic function remains unchanged after BDG according to previous studies; however, acute changes in global and diastolic function have not been previously investigated in this cohort. Our objective was to assess the short-term effects of the BDG on global ventricular function in patients with a functional single ventricle. Design., Echocardiograms to obtain MPI, isovolumic contraction time, and isovolumic relaxation time were performed at four time periods: in the operating room, in the operating room prior to BDG, shortly after separation from cardiopulmonary bypass, less than 24 hours postoperatively, and either prior to hospital discharge or at the first clinic follow-up visit. Results., Twenty-six patients were enrolled. There was significant ventricular dysfunction noted shortly after separation from cardiopulmonary bypass, median MPI 0.63 (0.39,0.81), that persisted in the short term postoperatively median MPI 0.50 (0.40,0.63). Isovolumic contraction time did not change, however, isovolumic relaxation time was significantly prolonged following BDG. Conclusion., In the postoperative patient after BDG, systolic function is preserved; however, there is evidence of diastolic and global ventricular dysfunction, at least in the short term. [source] Pulmonary Regurgitation after Tetralogy of Fallot Repair: Clinical Features, Sequelae, and Timing of Pulmonary Valve ReplacementCONGENITAL HEART DISEASE, Issue 6 2007Naser M. Ammash MD ABSTRACT Pulmonary regurgitation following repair of tetralogy of Fallot is a common postoperative sequela associated with progressive right ventricular enlargement, dysfunction, and is an important determinant of late morbidity and mortality. Although pulmonary regurgitation may be well tolerated for many years following surgery, it can be associated with progressive exercise intolerance, heart failure, tachyarrhythmia, and late sudden death. It also often necessitates re-intervention. Identifying the appropriate timing of such intervention could be very challenging given the risk of prosthetic valve degeneration and the increased risk of reoperation. Comprehensive informed and regular assessment of the postoperative patient with tetralogy of Fallot, including evaluation of pulmonary regurgitation, right heart structure and function, is crucial to the optimal care of these patients. Pulmonary valve replacement performed in an experienced tertiary referral center is associated with low operative morbidity and mortality and very good long-term results. Early results of percutaneous pulmonary valve replacement are also promising. [source] Evaluation of Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation Results in Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophies by Magnetic Resonance ImagingTHE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 4 2007Tarik Sapci MD Abstract Objectives: Nasal obstruction caused by inferior turbinate hypertrophies is one of the most frequent problems in otolaryngology. Treatment of this disease may involve medical and surgical methods. Thermal ablation with radiofrequency energy has become quite popular in the recent years as one of the surgical methods used when medical therapy is not adequate. Study Design: Prospective, clinical trial. Methods: Thermal ablation with radiofrequency energy was used in this study on the inferior turbinates of 21 patients who had nasal obstruction caused by inferior turbinate hypertrophy only. The results were evaluated subjectively by preoperative and postoperative patient- and physician-assigned visual analogue scales and objectively by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) investigation. Results: By the end of the postoperative week 10, 64.76% recovery was detected according to the patient evaluation, and 40.75% recovery was detected according to the physician evaluation. Measurement of the average volumes of the inferior turbinates by MRI revealed a 8.70% postoperative reduction. The most significant change was detected in the anterior-posterior length measurement performed in the axial plane. Conclusions: These results suggest that thermal ablation with radiofrequency energy is an easily applied, efficient, and reliable technique in treatment of the inferior turbinate hypertrophy, and that anterior-posterior length measurement in the axial section of the inferior turbinate by MRI, which is thought as an objective evaluation method, could be an efficient diagnostic tool in detecting the efficiency of radiofrequency on inferior turbinate. [source] Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura following transurethral resection of the prostateANAESTHESIA, Issue 9 2009S. R. Benington Summary A 65-year old man developed anaemia, profound thrombocytopenia and acute renal failure 2 days after transurethral resection of the prostate. Based on the clinical picture and blood film evidence of microangiopathic haemolysis, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura was diagnosed. The patient was treated with a course of plasma exchange, renal replacement therapy and methylprednisolone and made a good recovery. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is an uncommon cause of haematological and renal abnormalities in the postoperative period. It has a high mortality if untreated, and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any postoperative patient with a low platelet count and anaemia, since prompt investigation and treatment is life-saving. [source] Follow up of surgical repair of female pelvic floor disorders by a mailed questionnaireINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 4 2006HIDEYASU MATSUYAMA Background:, This study was conducted to determine whether surgical repair of pelvic prolapse enhances patients' quality of life (QOL) in the long term. Methods:, A total of 91 patients (median age, 68.0 years) with pelvic prolapse including cystoceles underwent bladder neck suspension with anterior/posterior colporrhaphy between 1997 and 2003. Postoperative QOL was longitudinally assessed by three disease-specific items (sensation of vaginal bulging, obstructive symptoms, urinary incontinence), and one overall health-related QOL (HR-QOL) item. Results:, A longitudinal study demonstrated that a significant improvement in these symptoms was sustained at a median follow up of 65.5 months, although poor HR-QOL was significantly higher in patients whose age was more than 70 years at surgery (P = 0.0234, Fisher's test). Multivariate analysis revealed update urinary incontinence, update obstructive symptoms, and basic comorbidity to be independent prognostic factors for predicting postoperative moderate-to-poor HR-QOL. Conclusions:, Longer follow up with adequate assessment of patients' QOL may be crucial for the management of postoperative patients, in particular those having basic comorbidity and aged 70 years or more at surgery. [source] Effectiveness of exercise programmes on shoulder mobility and lymphoedema after axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer: systematic reviewJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 9 2010Dorothy N.S. Chan chan d.n.s., lui l.y.y. & so w.k.w. (2010) Effectiveness of exercise programmes on shoulder mobility and lymphoedema after axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer: systematic review. Journal of Advanced Nursing,66(9), 1902,1914. Abstract Aim., This article is a report of a review of the effectiveness of exercise programmes on shoulder mobility and lymphoedema in postoperative patients with breast cancer having axillary lymph node dissection, as revealed by randomized controlled trials. Background., Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women. After surgery, the most common postoperative complications are reduced range of motion in the shoulder, muscle weakness in the upper extremities, lymphoedema, pain and numbness. To reduce these impairments, shoulder exercises are usually prescribed. However, conflicting results regarding the effect and timing of such exercises have been reported. Data sources., Studies were retrieved from a systematic search of published works over the period 2000,2009 indexed in the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Ovid Medline, the British Nursing Index, Proquest, Science Direct, Pubmed, Scopus and the Cochrane Library, using the combined search terms ,breast cancer', ,breast cancer surgery', ,exercise', ,lymphoedema', ,shoulder mobility' and ,randomized controlled trials'. Methods., A quantitative review of effectiveness was carried out. Studies were critically appraised by three independent reviewers, and categorized according to levels of evidence defined by the Joanna Briggs Institute. Results., Six studies were included in the review. Early rather than delayed onset of training did not affect the incidence of postoperative lymphoedema, but early introduction of exercises was valuable in avoiding deterioration in range of shoulder motion. Conclusion., Further studies are required to investigate the optimal time for starting arm exercises after this surgery. Nurses have an important role in educating and encouraging patients to practise these exercises to speed up recovery. [source] Continuous monitoring of interface pressure distribution in intensive care patients for pressure ulcer preventionJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 4 2009Kozue Sakai Abstract Title.,Continuous monitoring of interface pressure distribution in intensive care patients for pressure ulcer prevention. Aim., This paper is a report of a study conducted to examine whether continuous interface pressure monitoring of postoperative patients in an intensive care unit is feasible in clinical practice. Background., The interface pressure between skin and surfaces is generally evaluated for pressure ulcer prevention. However, the intensity and duration of interface pressure necessary for pressure ulcer development remains unclear because the conventional interface pressure sensors are unsuitable for continuous monitoring in clinical settings. Methods., A total of 30 postoperative patients in an intensive care unit participated in this study in 2006,2007. A sensor was built into a thermoelastic polymer mattress. The whole-body interface pressure was recorded for up to 48 hours. Pressure ulcer development was observed during the morning bed-bath. For analysis, the intensity and duration of the maximal interface pressure was evaluated. Findings., The mean age of the study group was 62·0 ± 15·4 years. Two participants developed stage I pressure ulcer and blanchable redness at the sacrum. The longest duration of pressures greater than 100 mmHg were 487·0, 273·5 and 275·7 minutes in the pressure ulcer, blanchable redness and no redness groups respectively. Conclusion., Continuous monitoring of the intensity and duration of whole-body interface pressure using the KINOTEX sensor is feasible in intensive care patients. [source] The Norwegian version of the American pain society patient outcome questionnaire: reliability and validity of three subscalesJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 15 2008Alfhild Dihle MSc Aims and objectives., To examine some psychometric properties of the Norwegian version of the American Pain Society's Patient Outcome Questionnaire (APS-POQ-N). Background., This study is part of an investigation of Norwegian orthopaedic surgical patients, where the overall aim is to evaluate the quality of postoperative pain management. Therefore, an adequate questionnaire on the quality of postoperative pain management was needed. Methods., The sample included 114 orthopaedic postoperative patients. The instrument consists of three main subscales, namely the modified Brief Pain Inventory (modified BPI subscale), the subscale on satisfaction with pain management (Satisfaction subscale) and the subscale on beliefs about pain management (Beliefs subscale), together with six single items about pain management. The reliability of these three main subscales was estimated using Cronbach's alpha coefficients and the construct validity was evaluated using principal-axis factor analysis with oblimin rotation. Results., Face and content validity of the APS-POQ-N were satisfactory, while the modified BPI and the Beliefs subscales showed acceptable internal consistency but the Satisfaction subscale did not. Factor analyses yielded a three-factor solution for the modified BPI, a one-factor solution for the Satisfaction subscale and a two-factor solution for the Beliefs subscale. Conclusions., The APS-POQ-N appears, in general, to be an acceptable method of evaluating postoperative pain management in orthopaedic postoperative patients. However, the alpha value of the Satisfaction subscale was low, and thus the subscale is not recommended for this purpose. Relevance to clinical practice., Reliable and valid instruments are important when performing clinical research. This instrument is applicable as an indicator of quality of postoperative pain management in clinical practice and research. [source] Factors predicting successful outcome following neostigmine therapy in acute colonic pseudo-obstruction: A prospective studyJOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 2 2006RAJIV MEHTA Abstract Aim:, To evaluate predictors of neostigmine response in patients with acute colonic pseudo-obstruction. Methods:, Twenty-seven patients with acute colonic pseudo-obstruction were enrolled in the study. All patients had received initial conservative management such as nil orally, nasogastric suction, rectal tube placement and correction of electrolyte imbalance for the first 24 h. Those who did not resolve with conservative management received 2 mg neostigmine intravenously. The same dose was repeated after 24 h in patients who did not response to the first dose (initial non-responders), or in those patients who relapsed after an initial response (initial responders). All non-responders to neostigmine underwent colonoscopic decompression followed by 2 mg neostigmine infusion for 30 min. A sustained response was defined as the resolution of symptoms and colonic dilatation on a plain radiograph. Results:, The study enrolled 27 patients; 18 were male (67%), and the median age was 60 years (range 18,78 years). Eight (30%) patients had spontaneous resolution. Initial response with neostigmine was observed in 16 (84%) patients, of which 10 (63%) had a sustained response. Nine patients (three initial non-responders and six initial responders) had received a second dose of neostigmine. A sustained response was seen only in five initial responders. Four patients who did not respond to neostigmine underwent colonoscopic decompression followed by neostigmine infusion and had a sustained response. Neostigmine responders were more likely to be postoperative patients (11 of 15 (73%) vs one of four (25%), P = 0.07), less likely to have electrolyte imbalance and to be on antimotility agents (three of 15 (20%) vs four of four (100%), P = 0.009 and two of 15 (13%) vs four of four (100%), P = 0.003). Conclusions:, Electrolyte imbalance and usage of anti-motility agents are factors associated with a poor response, while postoperative patients showing good response to neostigmine therapy. [source] Elevated levels of soluble fibrin or D-dimer indicate high risk of thrombosisJOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS, Issue 6 2006H. WADA Summary.,Background:,Fibrin-related markers such as soluble fibrin (SF) and D-dimer are considered useful for the diagnosis of thrombosis. However, the evidence for diagnosis of thrombosis by fibrin-related markers is not well-established. Objective:,To evaluate the cutoff values of D-dimer and SF in the diagnosis of thrombosis. Patients and Methods:,Plasma concentrations of SF and D-dimer were measured in 784 inpatients suspected of having thrombosis between 1 August 2003 and 31 December 2004, and then correlated with thrombosis. Results and Conclusions:,Plasma concentrations of D-dimer and SF were significantly higher in patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and cerebral thrombosis, compared with those in patients without thrombosis. When cutoff values of > 3.0 ,g mL,1 for D-dimer and > 6.0 ,g mL,1 for SF were used for the diagnosis, more than 50% of patients (with the exception of liver transplant patients and postoperative patients) had thrombosis. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that SF was more useful than D-dimer for the diagnosis of thrombosis (i.e. DVT and DIC). The cutoff value of D-dimer (7.87 ,g mL,1) was the same for DVT and DIC, while that of SF was slightly lower for DVT (7.05 ,g mL,1) than for DIC (8.60 ,g mL,1). Our findings suggest that high levels of plasma fibrin-related markers reflect high risk for thrombosis. [source] Effects of gabapentin on postoperative morphine consumption and pain after abdominal hysterectomy: A randomized, double-blind trialACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 3 2004G. Dierking Background: Preliminary clinical studies have suggested that gabapentin may produce analgesia and reduce the need for opioids in postoperative patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate the opioid-sparing and analgesic effects of gabapentin administered during the first 24 h after abdominal hysterectomy. Methods: In a randomized, double-blind study, 80 patients received oral gabapentin 1200 mg or placebo 1 h before surgery, followed by oral gabapentin 600 mg or placebo 8, 16 and 24 h after the initial dose. Patients received patient-controlled analgesia with morphine at doses of 2.5 mg with a lock-out time of 10 min for 24 h postoperatively. Pain was assessed on a visual analogue scale (VAS) at rest and during mobilization, nausea, somnolence and dizziness on a four-point verbal scale, and vomiting as present/not present at 2, 4, 22 and 24 h postoperatively. Results: Thirty-nine patients in the gabapentin group, and 32 patients in the placebo group completed the study. Gabapentin reduced total morphine consumption from median 63 (interquartile range 53,88) mg to 43 (28,60) mg (P < 0.001). We observed a significant inverse association between plasma levels of gabapentin at 2 h postoperatively, and morphine usage from 0 to 2 h, and from 0 to 4 h postoperatively (R2 = 0.30, P = 0.003 and R2 = 0.24 P = 0.008, respectively). No significant differences in pain at rest or during mobilization, or in side-effects, were observed between groups. Conclusion: Gabapentin in a total dose of 3000 mg, administered before and during the first 24 h after abdominal hysterectomy, reduced morphine consumption with 32%, without significant effects on pain scores. No significant differences in side-effects were observed between study-groups. [source] Postoperative pain management: Study of patients' level of pain and satisfaction with health care providers' responsiveness to their reports of painNURSING & HEALTH SCIENCES, Issue 1 2003Joanne W. Y. Chung RN Abstract The present prospective survey was conducted in a 1200-bed hospital to examine postoperative patients' current pain intensity, most intense pain experienced, satisfaction with postoperative pain management, and differences regarding pain and satisfaction levels. All adult patients admitted to a hospital in Hong Kong for surgery, except those receiving local anesthesia, were eligible to enter this study. The patient outcome questionnaire developed by the American Pain Society was used to solicit data about patients' pain and satisfaction with pain relief. The subjects were 294 postoperative patients. Approximately 85% complained about varying degrees of pain during the 24 h prior to the assessment of their pain. When interviewed, most patients complained of mild to moderate pain (median = 2 on a 10-point scale), while the median for ,worst pain intensity' was 5. Approximately 80% of the subjects indicated that both the nurses and physicians reminded them to report pain when it occurred. Only 143 (48.6%) agreed that the nurses and physicians sufficiently emphasized the importance of pain relief. Those who received acute pain services, provided by anesthetists, reported lower levels of current pain intensity. Over 65% of the subjects were satisfied with all levels of health care providers, regarding their postoperative pain management. [source] Assessment of postoperative nausea using a visual analogue scaleACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 4 2000J. G. Boogaerts Background: Assessment of postoperative nausea intensity is difficult because nausea is a subjective and unpleasant sensation. We propose using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) device to increase the efficiency and precision in the assessment of nausea. We carried out a pilot study on postoperative patients suffering from nausea to measure the degree of agreement between the VAS scores and those given on a 4-point verbal descriptive scale (VDS). Methods: Postoperative nausea was evaluated by means of a classical VAS (0,10 cm) device and a 4-point VDS (0=no nausea, 1=mild, 2=moderate, 3=severe) in 128 surgical spontaneously complaining patients. Evaluation was repeated 45 min after rescue medication given if nausea was intractable, lasted more than 10 min or at the request of the patient. Ordinal logistic regression was used to measure the association between VAS and VDS and to determine cut-off points on the VAS. Results: The VAS device was easily understood and used by patients. VAS scores decreased significantly from 5.5±2.3 to 1.4±1.8 after rescue medication (P=0.002). Application of ordinal logistic regression to pre- and post-medication data combined yielded an agreement of 86% between VAS and VDS and the cut-off points on the VAS were estimated as follows: 0,1 (no nausea), 1+,4 (mild), 4+,7 (moderate) and 7+,10 (severe). Conclusion: The VAS method proved to be useful for assessing quantitative nausea intensity and for testing the efficacy of rescue medication. It was found that a cut-off value of 4 on the VAS may be considered as a critical threshold triggering anaesthesiologists or nurses to administer rescue medication. [source] Monitoring of sympathetic tone to assess postoperative pain: skin conductance vs surgical stress indexANAESTHESIA, Issue 7 2009T. Ledowski Summary The number of fluctuations in skin conductance per second has been described as a potential tool for monitoring postoperative pain. More recently, the surgical stress index has shown promising correlations with intra-operative painful stimuli. We compared both methods for their ability to assess postoperative pain, in 100 postoperative patients who were also asked to quantify their level of pain at different time points in the recovery room. The number of fluctuations per second and surgical stress index were significantly different between pain scoring , 5/10 and > 5/10 on a numeric rating scale (mean (SE) number of fluctuations per second 0.12 (0.02) vs 0.21 (0.03), respectively; p = 0.017, and surgical stress index 57 (1.4) vs 64 (1.9) points, respectively; p = 0.001). Both number of fluctuations in skin conductance per second and surgical stress index identified timepoints with moderate to severe pain with only moderate sensitivity and specificity. [source] A new instrument for pain assessment in the immediate postoperative period,ANAESTHESIA, Issue 4 2009A. M. Machata Summary Perceptual-cognitive impairment after general anaesthesia may affect the ability to reliably report pain severity with the standard visual analog scale (VAS). To minimise these limitations, we developed ,PAULA the PAIN-METER®' (PAULA): it has five coloured emoticon faces on the forefront, it is twice as long as a standard VAS scale, and patients use a slider to mark their pain experience. Forty-eight postoperative patients rated descriptive pain terms on PAULA and on a standard VAS immediately after admission and before discharge from the postanaesthesia care unit. Visual acuity was determined before both assessments. The values obtained with PAULA showed less variance than those obtained with the standard VAS, even at the first assessment, where only 23% of the patients had regained their visual acuity. Furthermore, the deviations of the absolute VAS values in individual patients for each descriptive pain term were significantly smaller with PAULA than with the standard VAS. [source] The use of the weber tuning fork test and ,scratch test' in postoperative tympanomastoid surgeryCLINICAL OTOLARYNGOLOGY, Issue 6 2006J.R. Buckland Objective., To compare the use of the Weber tuning fork test and ,Scratch test' in postoperative patients following tympanomastoid surgery. Method., Prospective cohort study with control group. Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust. Secondary care. 19 patients undergoing routine tympanomastoid surgery for middle ear disease and 18 patients undergoing translabyrinthine surgery for lateral skull base lesions. Main Outcome Measures., Localisation of Weber tuning fork. Positive or negative Scratch test: clinician applies a gentle scratch using index finger to the bandage over the operated ear. Postoperative pure tone audiometry. Results., In the context of diagnosing a hearing or non-hearing ear, the Weber test had a specificity of 78% and sensitivity of 100%. The scratch test had a specificity of 100% and sensitivity of 100%. The Weber was 93% specific and 93% sensitive for diagnosing a unilateral conductive hearing loss. Conclusions., As a means of diagnosing an acute postoperative dead ear the Scratch test is an accurate alternative to the Weber test. References 1 Miltenburg D.M. (1994) The validity of tuning fork tests in diagnosing hearing loss. J Otolaryngol. 23, 254,259 2 Behn A., Laszlo C.A., Black D., et al. (2005) Which is mightier, the tuning fork or the bone oscillator? J Otolarygol. 34, 135,139 [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||