Surg J R Coll Surg E
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Surg J R Coll Surg E · Feb 2003
Comparative StudyReduction of nasal fractures under local anaesthesia: an acceptable practice?
Nasal fractures are among the most common bony injuries and are among the most frequent reasons for referral to Otorhinolaryngology departments resulting in significant pressure on clinical resources. We present our experience of a Nasal Fracture Clinic dedicated to the assessment of nasal injuries. A prospective study has been undertaken using questionnaires regarding patient satisfaction and acceptability of manipulation under a local anaesthetic (LA). ⋯ The discomfort associated with reduction under LA did not exceed that of a minor dental procedure. No significant complications were encountered during the study period. We conclude that reduction of nasal fractures under LA is a safe and attractive alternative to reduction under a general anaesthetic (GA) and frees-up valuable clinical resources.
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Surg J R Coll Surg E · Feb 2003
Review Comparative StudyFactors involved in abdominal wall closure and subsequent incisional hernia.
Incisional hernia is a frequent complication of abdominal wall closure with a reported incidence of between 5% and 15% following vertical midline incisions at one-year follow-up. Evidence from randomised clinical trials and meta-analysis indicate that a continuous running non-absorbable or slowly absorbed suture such as polydioxanone is the method of choice for abdominal wall closure. Continuous polydioxanone has a similar incisional hernia rate to its non-absorbable counterparts but causes less chronic pain and wound sinuses. ⋯ Although experimental and clinical evidence indicate that a greater number of stitches with a suture length to wound ratio of at least 4:1 is associated with a lower incidence of incisional hernia, there is no evidence from randomised clinical trials to support this. Intuitively one may think that putting as little tension as possible on the closure is important, but there is no evidence for this. Clinical trials evaluating these factors would be difficult to undertake making it important that surgeons continue to audit incisional hernia rates following abdominal closure.
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Surg J R Coll Surg E · Feb 2003
Comparative StudyAlvarado score: an admission criterion in patients with right iliac fossa pain.
Appendicitis is an important differential diagnosis in patients with right iliac fossa pain. The diagnosis in patients with equivocal signs can be difficult. ⋯ We studied the Alvarado scores of 175 patients who presented to the emergency department with right iliac fossa pain and found that patients with scores of 4 or less did not have appendicitis. We also present an algorithm incorporating the Alvarado score for patients with suspected appendicitis.
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Surg J R Coll Surg E · Feb 2003
Case ReportsPercutaneous cementoplasty of acetabular bony metastasis.
The development of malignant lesions in the acetabulum can lead to painful and disabling bone destruction. Lytic metastases of the acetabulum are frequent, causing pathologic fractures, pain and disability. The literature is sparse in relation to the exact indications and technique for this procedure. ⋯ Radiography and computed tomography must be performed prior to therapeutic percutaneous injection to assess the location and extent of the lytic process, the presence of cortical destruction or fracture, and the presence of soft-tissue involvement. We report a case of a 39-year-old woman with a secondary acetabular lesion, which was treated successfully with percutaneous acetabular cementoplasty. We describe a novel technique used to inject cement into the lesion, allowing for greater cement volume and pressurisation within the lesion.