Ghana medical journal
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Ghana medical journal · Sep 2008
Influence of head flexion after endotracheal intubation on intraocular pressure and cardio-respiratory response in patients undergoing cataract surgery.
During preparation and draping of periorbital area, neck flexion causes displacement of the endotracheal tube tip toward the carina. Stimulation of the tracheal mucosa may cause bucking, increased intraocular pressure (IOP), laryngospasm, bronchospasm, change in end-tidal carbon dioxide pressure (PETCO2) or peripheral arterial haemoglobin oxygen saturation (SpaO2) during light anaesthesia. ⋯ It is concluded that endotracheal tube movement by changes in head and neck position has significant effects on heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, laryngeal reflexes, SpaO2, PETCO2, and intraocular pressure in patients undergoing cataract surgery under general anaesthesia.
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Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is one of the most distressing morbidities associated with surgery. Even though the incidence can be as high as 30% elsewhere no work has been done to assess the incidence in any health facility in Ghana. This study was carried out to find out the incidence, risk factors and the management of PONV in a tertiary healthcare facility. ⋯ Thirty-four percent of patients in the study had PONV indicating that the problem is not uncommon among post-surgical patients in KBTH. Awareness of the problem should be highlighted and adequate management should be given to all patients. Patients at risk should be identified and appropriate management instituted.
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Ghana medical journal · Sep 2007
Hospital based maternity care in ghana - findings of a confidential enquiry into maternal deaths.
In Ghana, a universal free delivery policy was implemented to improve access to delivery care in health facilities, thereby improving access to skilled attendance and reducing maternal mortality. ⋯ Our findings suggest that the already poor delivery care services women received remained unchanged after introduction of the policy.
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Ghana medical journal · Mar 1971
Forty-seven cases of pyogenic meningitis in adults in Korle Bu Hospital, Accra.
Forty-seven cases of pyogenic meningitis treated at Korle Bu Hospital are described. Twenty-two were pneumococcal and in the other 25 no organisms were isolated from the C. S. ⋯ The mortality rate was high (62%). Late presentation, extracerebral sepsis and fulminant infection were common. Clinical features, reasons for the high mortality rate, treatment and possible measures to improve the situation are discussed.