Singapore medical journal
-
Singapore medical journal · May 2015
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyMale orthopaedic surgeons and anaesthetists: equally good at estimating fluid volumes (and changing light bulbs) but equally poor at estimating procedure duration.
How many orthopods does it take to change a light bulb? One - to refer to the medics for 'Darkness ?Cause'. Additionally, anaesthetists and surgeons often disagree on the estimated blood loss during surgery and the estimated procedure duration. We designed this study to compare the ability of orthopaedic surgeons and anaesthetists in: (a) estimating fluid volumes; (b) estimating procedure durations; and (c) changing light bulbs. ⋯ In an experimental environment, male orthopaedic surgeons are as good as male anaesthetists in estimating fluid volumes (in commonly seen surgical specimens) and in changing light bulbs. Both groups are poor at estimating procedure durations.
-
Cerebellar infarcts and haemorrhages are relatively uncommon, accounting for less than 10% of all strokes. The objective of the present study was to quantify and compare the outcomes of patients with cerebellar infarct and those of patients with cerebellar haemorrhage, as well as to identify the risk factors that predict poor outcome in patients with cerebellar stroke. ⋯ Cerebellar strokes are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. The outcomes of patients with cerebellar haemorrhage are more likely to be worse than those of patients with cerebellar infarct.
-
Singapore medical journal · Feb 2015
ReviewCurrent status of functional gastrointestinal evaluation in clinical practice.
Neurogastroenterology and motility disorders of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract encompass a broad spectrum of diseases involving the GI tract and central nervous system. They have varied pathophysiology, clinical presentation and management, and make up a substantial proportion of outpatient clinic visits. Typically, patients experience persistent symptoms referable to the GI tract despite normal endoscopic and radiologic findings. ⋯ Advances in technology and understanding of the disease pathophysiology have provided better insight into the physiological basis of disease and a more rational approach to patient management. While technological advances serve to explain patients' persistent symptoms, they should be balanced against the costs of diagnostic tests. This review highlights the GI investigative modalities employed to evaluate patients with persistent GI symptoms in the absence of a structural lesion, with particular emphasis on investigative modalities available locally and the clinical impact of such tools.
-
Singapore medical journal · Jan 2015
Normalisation of urinary biomarkers to creatinine for clinical practice and research--when and why.
Acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are major health problems. Urinary biomarkers have both diagnostic and prognostic utility in AKI and CKD. ⋯ Some studies suggest that normalisation to uCr may be inappropriate at times, as urinary creatinine excretion rate may vary greatly, depending on the situation. Notably, recent studies suggest that while normalisation of values to UCr may be valid for the evaluation of CKD and prediction of AKI sequelae and occurrences, it could be inappropriate for the diagnosis of AKI, or in the presence of certain acute kidney disease states.
-
Singapore medical journal · Jan 2015
Prevalence of oral lesions and measurement of salivary pH in the different trimesters of pregnancy.
Oral changes observed during pregnancy have been studied for many years, but their magnitude and frequency have not been stressed upon. This study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of oral lesions during different trimesters of pregnancy and their correlation with salivary pH change. ⋯ Most changes in oral tissues during pregnancy can be avoided with good oral hygiene. Salivary pH could be used to assess the prevalence of oral lesions in the different trimesters of pregnancy.