Journal of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
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J R Coll Surg Edinb · Oct 1997
Case ReportsAir gun injuries in children: a continuing cause for concern.
Air guns are commonly used for sporting entertainment. The inappropriate use of these weapons often leads to injury. ⋯ We report two cases of serious air gun injury in children and a review of the relevant legislation covering the use of air weapons in the UK. Enhanced public education and awareness as well as coordinated policies by organizations involved in the care of children is desirable to prevent future calamities involving air weapons.
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J R Coll Surg Edinb · Jun 1997
Recurrent laryngeal nerve dysfunction following carotid endarterectomy.
Recurrent laryngeal nerve dysfunction is a significant complication of carotid endarterectomy and vocal cord paralysis is a major source of morbidity. This study prospectively assessed patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy to determine the nature and frequency of vocal cord damage and attempt to identify avoidable factors. Fifty consecutive patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy for symptomatic disease were studied. ⋯ The incidence of vocal cord paralysis in this group was less than many of the reported series. This could be due to the technique of minimal dissection which may prevent disturbance of the vagal segmental blood supply. Pre-operative vocal cord assessment is essential in all patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy.
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J R Coll Surg Edinb · Feb 1997
Comparative StudyUltrasonography in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.
The purpose of this study was to assess our results of using graded compression ultrasonography (US) to confirm the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Graded compression US was performed on 94 patients who presented at the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, Pennsylvania with an equivocal clinical picture of acute appendicitis. ⋯ We conclude that graded compression US was useful to rule out the diagnosis of acute appendicitis and helped to avoid unnecessary appendectomies and reduced negative laparotomies. Our results proved to be comparable to previously reported studies.
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Angola is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world. Despite the vast effort made to clear landmines, very few accurate figures for casualty rates are available. The town of Kuito in central Angola is surrounded by minefields left after the 22-month siege by the rebel UNITA forces. ⋯ Mortality from anti-personnel mines was 1.7% (1/60). Seventy per cent of all lower limb amputations in Kuito are performed as a result of landmine injury (53/76). Landmines exert a severe strain on already stretched surgical services, and a significant burden of morbidity on the population of Kuito.