Ann Acad Med Singap
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Mar 2009
Intramuscular gentamicin improves the efficacy of ciprofloxacin as an antibiotic prophylaxis for transrectal prostate biopsy.
Infection-related complications after transrectal ultrasound guided prostatic biopsy (TRPB) could be life threatening. Our centre observed sepsis after TRPB despite prophylactic oral ciprofloxacin. We reviewed all cases of post-TRPB sepsis with their bacteriology and evaluated if the addition of intramuscular (I/M) gentamicin to standard prophylaxis before TRPB could reduce its incidence. ⋯ The addition of I/M gentamicin to oral ciprofloxacin is a safe and effective prophylactic antibiotic regime in reducing the incidence of post-TRPB sepsis.
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Feb 2009
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyEpidemiology and control of hand, foot and mouth disease in Singapore, 2001-2007.
We reviewed the epidemiology of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Singapore after the 2000 epidemic caused by Enterovirus 71 (EV71), with particular reference to the cyclical pattern, predominant circulating enteroviruses and impact of prevention and control measures in preschool centres. ⋯ HFMD remains an important public health problem in Singapore with the annual incidence rate per 100,000 population increasing from 125.5 in 2001 to 435.9 in 2007, despite stringent measures taken in preschool centres to prevent the transmission of infection. A high degree of vigilance should be maintained over the disease situation, in particular, surveillance of EV 71 which continues to cause severe complications and deaths in the region.
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Chronic non-cancer pain is a common clinical condition affecting a significant part of the population. This article aims to review the interventional options for non-cancer pain. ⋯ Other techniques include intraspinal delivery of analgesics. There is evidence that these interventional procedures are valuable both diagnostically and therapeutically.
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Feb 2009
Comparative StudyAn observational, prospective study to determine the ease of vascular access in adults using a novel intraosseous access device.
Intraosseous access is an alternative to conventional intravenous access when access is difficult or impossible in the adult population. The EZ-IO is a novel intraosseous access device designed for use in adults, utilising a powered driver. ⋯ The intraosseous access device evaluated in this study appears to be easy to use with high success rates of insertion with inexperienced participants. There is potential for use in the Emergency Department.