Surgery
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Surgery on the upper abdomen is associated with marked postoperative pulmonary dysfunction that results largely from restriction of lung expansion secondary to incisional pain. This study, utilizing three groups of patients (a control group, a sham group, and a group receiving transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation [TENS] for pain control), was designed to determine whether this modality is effective in alleviating postoperative pain. Spirometry, arterial blood gases, clinical as well as radiologic evidence of postoperative pulmonary complications, and the frequency of analgesic requests were determined. ⋯ There were a total of six postoperative pulmonary complications, all occurring in the groups not receiving TENS. Postoperative arterial Po2, vital capacity, and functional residual capacity were least depressed in the TENS group. The data suggest that TENS minimizes the tendency toward postoperative alteration in respiratory mechanics and decreases the incidence of pulmonary complications by alleviating incisional pain.
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Forty-five consecutive patients with 49 fractures of the first rib caused by blunt trauma underwent arteriography. The fractures were classified as posterior, lateral, or anterior and as nondisplaced, minimally displaced, or significantly displaced. Seven patients (14%) had serious vascular injuries: five had posterior injuries, and one had a lateral fracture, and one had an anterior fracture. ⋯ Arteriography is indicated if there is an absent pulse, a brachial plexus injury, or a displaced first rib fracture. Using these criteria all vascular injuries would be detected. The majority (78%) of the patients with first rib fractures could be managed without arteriography.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Cerium nitrate-silver sulfadiazine cream in the treatment of burns: a prospective evaluation.
In a prospective, randomized study of patients with major burns, the efficacy of cerium nitrate-silver sulfadiazine cream was compared with that of silver sulfadiazine cream alone. Sixty patients were studied, in two groups, with matching mean ages and mean burns sizes. Patients with associated injuries, smoke inhalation, or major medical illnesses were excluded from the study. ⋯ The distribution of bacterial isolates by organism was similar in both groups. In vitro sensitivity determinations indicated a comparable efficacy between the two agents. In this study no clear-cut superiority of one topical agent over the other could be demonstrated.