Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
P6 acupressure reduces morning sickness.
A prospective study was designed to test the efficacy of pressure at the P6 (Neiguan) acupuncture point, in preventing morning sickness. Three groups of patients in early pregnancy recorded the severity and frequency of sickness over a period of 4 consecutive days following daily pressure at P6 point, pressure at a point near the right elbow and with no treatment. ⋯ When the data are adversely 'weighted' to compensate for the lower incidence of fully completed returns in the active treatment groups, only the P6 group show a significant reduction in sickness. No side effects occurred in either group and while anticipation of benefit may offer a partial explanation for the findings, pressure at the Neiguan point appears to have a specific therapeutic effect.
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Intraoperative autotransfusion of whole blood was performed using the Solcotrans device in 45 patients undergoing major vascular surgery or other procedures in which there was a clean operative field. Overall, 60% of the blood shed during these operations was reinfused. ⋯ There were no complications attributable to the use of this device although in a sample of 13 patients, 30% of the erythrocytes were haemolysed and there were other minor haematological abnormalities. In conclusion this device provides a simple method of autotransfusing 2 or 3 litres of blood aspirated from an uncontaminated operative field.
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A retrospective review of 103 acute admissions of overseas visitors to a central London hospital was performed. Admissions were most commonly due to infection (43 admissions) and to recurrence of preexisting disease (40 admissions). Patients over 60 years were frequently admitted with new diagnoses. Groups at risk of admission were identified and strategies to reduce admissions discussed.