Surgery, gynecology & obstetrics
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Surg Gynecol Obstet · Jul 1986
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialA prospective randomized study of moxalactam versus gentamicin and clindamycin in penetrating abdominal trauma.
We conducted a randomized, prospective study of moxalactam versus gentamicin plus clindamycin in 42 patients with penetrating abdominal trauma. Patients were randomized to receive intravenously either 2 grams of moxalactam every 12 hours or 80 milligrams of gentamicin every eight hours and 600 milligrams of clindamycin every six hours. Antibiotics were administered preoperatively and continued for a minimum of five days if hollow viscus injury occurred. ⋯ The over-all mortality rate was zero per cent. The total pharmacy cost of a five day course of moxalactam plus a single dose of vitamin K is $204.67 compared with $226.00 for a similar course of gentamicin plus clindamycin. We conclude that: moxalactam is at least, if not more, effective in preventing infectious complications after penetrating abdominal trauma compared with gentamicin plus clindamycin; moxalactam is safe in the doses used when combined with vitamin K, and 3, moxalactam is more cost-effective than gentamicin plus clindamycin dual antibiotic therapy.
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Surg Gynecol Obstet · Jun 1986
Comparative StudyThe influence of preoperative total parenteral nutrition upon morbidity and mortality.
This study was done to examine the criteria for determining the adequacy of preoperative total parenteral nutrition (TPN). We hypothesized that an important criterion for adequate preoperative nutrition should be a contraction of the expanded extracellular fluid compartment known to occur in malnourished patients undergoing surgical treatment. Clinical evidence of this included a rise in the serum albumin level and weight loss. ⋯ The complication rate in the three groups was 4.3 per cent for those in group 1; 45 per cent for those in group 2a and 12.5 per cent for those in group 2b (p less than 0.05), group 2a versus group 2b). The results of this study demonstrate a high mortality and morbidity in patients who fail to increase the serum albumin level after one week of TPN. The data suggest that a prolonged period of parenteral nutrition results in a substantial decrease in perioperative complications in this group of patients.
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Accidental hypothermia is a health problem with a scope which has been underestimated by the medical community. Limited awareness and limited diagnostic equipment, along with hospital coding inaccuracies, make calculation of the true number of instances of accidental hypothermia nearly impossible. Severe hypothermia occurs when body temperature falls below 28 degrees C. ⋯ When cardiovascular resuscitation is performed first, followed by rewarming with a continual maintenance of optimum cardiovascular function, then all standard methods of rewarming (external rewarming with a fluid-circulated blanket, peritoneal lavage or partial cardiac bypass) should give equally good results. The preceding guidelines are extrapolated from a retrospective review of available clinical material as well as controlled prospective animal studies. Prospective clinical studies should be performed to confirm the acceptability of these guidelines; an inter-institutional study may be the best way to glean such data and should be considered by researchers interested in this problem.
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Surg Gynecol Obstet · Apr 1986
Review Comparative StudyEpidural catheter analgesia for the management of postoperative pain.
Since its introduction to North America in 1942, the use of epidural catheter analgesia has increased dramatically. Improved equipment, methods and medications have broadened its application to include among others, surgical anesthesia, chronic pain relief and the management of postoperative pain. Numerous techniques for epidural puncture and insertion of the catheter have been described. ⋯ Improved analgesia has been reported when epidural narcotics are used in combination with local anesthetics. Continuous administration of low dosage epidural narcotics has been shown to have less frequent side effects than bolus administration. Nevertheless, pruritus, urinary retention, hypotension and severe respiratory depression have been reported with both methods.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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Surg Gynecol Obstet · Feb 1986
Preoperative hair removal with clippers does not increase infection rate in clean surgical wounds.
For a one year period, hair was removed from the operative site with clippers rather than by shaving with a razor or by application of depilatories. The study involved comparison of clean (Class I) wound infection rates in 2,580 patients after clipping was instituted compared with 17,424 patients studied in seven preceding years. ⋯ Failure to show a clear reduction in wound infection rate was probably related to the low historic base line rate. There were definite benefits achieved by avoiding cancellation of elective operations, by using operating room personnel more efficiently and by expediating the surgical schedule.