Singap Med J
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The aim of this study was to find the dosage and pattern of neuroleptic drug utilisation for the treatment of acute schizophrenia in a general psychiatry ward. This is an uncontrolled study involving 112 schizophrenic inpatients. Patients' socio-demographic variables, the type and peak daily doses of neuroleptics prescribed to them were analysed. ⋯ Low potency drugs were prescribed in lower doses than high potency drugs. Patients treated with depot preparation tended to receive higher doses of medication than those prescribed oral medication alone. The doses of neuroleptics were significantly correlated with duration of admission.
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A 78-point self-administered questionnaire relating to headaches was completed by 1208 undergraduates of the National University of Singapore. The management and characteristics of the study population that had sought medical consultation for their headaches was studied. The lifetime prevalence of headaches in the study population was 98.1%. ⋯ No significant gender predisposition was found. Eight of the 106 (7.5%) had been given prophylactic/interval therapy. A significant proportion of the study population responds well to non-prescription medication, suggesting that the purpose of many medical consultations may be to relieve anxieties regarding the diagnosis rather than to obtain symptomatic relief.
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Profuse bleeding after voluntary sexual intercourse is an uncommon reason for admission to the gynaecological wards. Out of 12 such patients admitted to the Ipoh Hospital over a three-year period, one patient had life-threatening upper vaginal injury after coitus. Blood replacement and conventional suturing failed to arrest the bleeding. ⋯ Vigorous intercourse increases intra-abdominal pressure in women causing tensing of the cul-de-sac, decreasing the elasticity of the posterior fornix, resulting in vaginal laceration. Bilateral internal iliac artery ligation produces a 'pelvic compartment hypotension' converting a high arterial flow system to that of a low one resembling venous flow. The useful role of this procedure to contain pelvic haemorrhage is discussed.
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Case Reports
Malposition of a long central venous catheter in the right inferior thyroid vein--a case report.
This case report hopes to bring to attention the possibility of malposition and ligation of a long central venous catheter in a central venous tributary in the course of major neck surgery. A 49-year-old gentleman underwent total laryngectomy and right radical neck dissection for laryngeal carcinoma. ⋯ This was subsequently found to have malpositioned into the right inferior thyroid vein and ligated. It required an exploration of the neck wound to remove the ligated catheter.
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Previously published papers on the success of trabeculectomy as a treatment for glaucoma show success rates between 67% and 84%. The success rate of trabeculectomy in Afro-Carribean patients was observed to be lower than in Caucasian patients. It has been commonly believed that the success rate of trabeculectomy in Oriental/Asian eyes would lie somewhere between these. We reviewed the records of 51 consecutive trabeculectomies performed in the National University Hospital, Singapore and found that our success rate was lower-43.1% overall and 48.7% for primary glaucomas.