Ann Acad Med Singap
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Jan 2000
Endobronchial stenting in patients requiring mechanical ventilation for major airway obstruction.
To examine the value of therapeutic rigid bronchoscopy on subsequent ventilator weaning in ventilated patients with major airway obstruction. ⋯ Therapeutic rigid bronchoscopy is effective in the acute management of respiratory distress from central airway obstruction. Dramatic improvements in ventilatory status following therapeutic rigid bronchoscopy allow ventilator liberation in a select group of patients with an otherwise good performance status.
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Neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) presents clinically with either cutaneous lesions or cardiac involvement and is related to the transplacental passage of anti-Ro antibodies from mother to foetus. We report a series of 10 cases seen at the National Skin Centre between 1990 and 1998 including a pair of siblings. ⋯ The rash resolved spontaneously by 3 to 6 months of age.
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Jan 2000
Fibre-optic aided bougie (FAB) for simulated difficult tracheal intubation.
Difficult intubation remains a key problem and the value of the gum elastic bougie as a first approach is well recognised. ⋯ The fibre-optic assisted bougie (FAB) offers a promising technique in patients who may be difficult to intubate but who can be ventilated. Further developments are required to achieve a faster intubation time but oxygenation may be achieved by jetting down the hollow bougie.
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Jan 2000
Proerectile pharmacological effects of Tribulus terrestris extract on the rabbit corpus cavernosum.
The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of oral treatment of Tribulus terrestris (TT) extract on the isolated corpus cavernosal tissue of New Zealand white (NZW) rabbits and to determine the mechanism by which protodioscin (PTN), a constituent of the TT, exerts its pharmacological effects. ⋯ The relaxant responses to acetylcholine, nitroglycerin and EFS by more than 10%, 24% and 10% respectively compared to their control values and the lack of such effect on the contractile response to noradrenaline and histamine indicate that PTN has a proerectile activity. The enhanced relaxant effect observed is probably due to increase in the release of nitric oxide from the endothelium and nitrergic nerve endings, which may account for its claims as an aphrodisiac. However, further study is needed to clarify the precise mechanism of its action.
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Jan 2000
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialThe role of alternative therapy in the management of partial thickness burns of the face--experience with the use of moist exposed burn ointment (MEBO) compared with silver sulphadiazine.
Conventional management of partial thickness facial burn wounds includes the use of silver sulphadiazine dressings. Silver sulphadiazine forms an overlying slough that makes wound healing assessment difficult. Moist exposed burn ointment (MEBO) has been proposed as the ideal burn wound dressing both for burns of the face and other sites. Proponents of MEBO claim that it accelerates wound healing and results in scarless wound healing and at the same time reduce bacterial colonisation and the need for analgesics. We present here our experience with MEBO in the management of partial thickness burns of the face. ⋯ Advantages of MEBO as compared to silver sulphadiazine in the management of partial thickness burns of the face include convenient change of dressing and easier assessment of healing progression. This suggests that MEBO is a useful alternative therapy for partial thickness burns of the face.