Southern medical journal
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Southern medical journal · Mar 1995
Comparative StudyAre postoperative complications related to resident sleep deprivation?
This real-world study compares the outcome of surgery and the sleep-deprivation status of the resident surgeon. Residents who operated the day after a 24-hour on-call period were considered sleep deprived; all other resident surgeons were considered non-sleep-deprived. ⋯ The complication data were analyzed using logistic regression analysis, with outcome being the presence or absence of surgical complications. No statistically significant change in complication incidence was noted when the resident surgeon was sleep deprived.
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Hiccups (singultus) are most often a transient phenomenon that resolves without medical therapy. Intractable hiccups can be an indication of a serious underlying disease process and should be investigated. ⋯ On follow-up visits, antisingultus medications were withdrawn without return of hiccups, and repeat endoscopy showed substantial healing of the esophagitis. We conclude that GER may be underestimated as a cause of hiccups.
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Hiccups result from a variety of causes and serve no known physiologic function. Although most episodes are time-limited, hiccups may become protracted, with serious consequences. ⋯ However, if the cause remains unknown, therapeutic options include nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic measures. Since hiccups are common, this review provides a practical approach to the management of this bothersome symptom.
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Nitric oxide (NO) has recently been found to be the endothelium-derived factor that produces profound relaxation of the vascular smooth muscle. This discovery has led to the experimental use of inhaled NO as a selective pulmonary vasodilator without concomitant systemic vasodilation. ⋯ The therapeutic role, if any, of inhaled NO in other diseases featuring pulmonary hypertension remains unknown. Further research is needed to determine potential toxic effects of NO, development of delivery systems, and monitoring techniques applicable to routine clinical care.