Southern medical journal
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Southern medical journal · Jul 1982
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialPreoperative hair removal: a random prospective study of shaving versus clipping.
We report the results of a random, prospective study of electrical clipping versus routine razor shaving in the removal of hair immediately before operation. Two hundred patients having elective inguinal herniorrhaphy according to strict protocol were included in this study. ⋯ Two subcutaneous wound infections occurred in the shaved group (2%) and one in the clipped group (1%). This study indicates that preoperative clipping of hair with electric barber's clippers immediately before operation is a safe, well tolerated procedure that does not increase the risk of postoperative wound infection.
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Septic shock continues to be a serious problem with a mortality ranging from 11% to 82%, depending upon the cause, the time of diagnosis, and the type of treatment. The condition is seen in pregnant patients with postabortal or postpartal endometritis, chorioamnionitis, and pyelonephritis. ⋯ Over the period July 1, 1959, to June 30, 1981, 91 patients were treated for septic shock with a mortality of 18%. Although medical treatment is important, the most important aspect of treatment for most patients is removal of the septic focus.
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Hydrocarbons remain a significant cause of childhood poisoning. Aspiration of hydrocarbons into the lung causing a chemical pneumonitis is the most prominent feature of this poisoning. The symptoms of respiratory compromise occur shortly after the poisoning and may become more severe during the first 48 hours. Therapy is supportive, and prevention of further aspiration is very important.