ANZ journal of surgery
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ANZ journal of surgery · Oct 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialRandomized trial of a pain control infusion pump following inguinal hernia repair.
Continuous ambulatory analgesia following various surgical procedures is gaining popularity. The purpose of the present paper is to evaluate this form of analgesia following open anterior inguinal hernia repair by way of a pain control infusion pump (PCIP). ⋯ The PCIP provided safe and adequate analgesia following inguinal hernia repair. It provided effective analgesia especially when patients were mobilizing. This has implications for earlier discharge from hospital and associated cost-savings.
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Cat bites are the second most common mammalian bites. Cat bites of the hand in particular represent a potentially devastating problem in terms of wound infection and long-term disability if not treated appropriately. The purpose of the present study is to give an overview of demographics, management and follow up of the patients with cat bite injuries of the hand treated at the Royal Hobart Hospital. ⋯ Appropriate early treatment of cat bites of the hand is the key to success. Treatment with antibiotics, surgical drainage, debridement and copious irrigation, and use of corticosteroids in some cases, proved to be effective. Hand elevation and intensive physiotherapy after a short period of immobilization is critical. We believe that prophylactic antibiotics should be given even in case of a minor infection following cat bites of the hand. Clear guidelines for clinical recognition of infection, hospital admission and management are provided in our study.