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D Gillies

Publications and source records attributed to D Gillies.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Intra-articular steroids and splints/rest for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and adults with rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Resting or immobilizing a joint to enhance outcomes following intra-articular (IA) steroid injection is generally advocated. This systematic review aimed to determine the efficacy of IA steroid injections and the influence of post-injection rest. OBJECTIVES: 1. Compare IA steroid injections versus no treatment or placebo. 2. Determine the effects of rest following IA steroid injection in rheumatoid or juvenile idiopathic arthritis. SEARCH STRATEGY: The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL- Issue 4, 2003), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR - Issue 4, 2003), Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness (DARE - searched 8.1.04), MEDLINE (1966 to August Week 2 2004), EMBASE (1980 to August Week 2 2004) , CINAHL (1982 to December Week 2 2003), Clinical Trials site of the National Institute of Health, (USA - searched 8.1.04), OTseeker (Occupational Therapy Systematic Evaluation of Evidence - searched 8.1.04) and PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database - searched 8.1.04) were searched. Journals and reference lists were hand searched. SELECTION CRITERIA: Eligible were randomised controlled trials of IA steroid injections or of rest following IA steroid injections in rheumatoid or juvenile idiopathic arthritis. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Potentially relevant references were evaluated and all data extracted by two independent reviewers. MAIN RESULTS: Five trials (n=346) examining IA steroid injection in the knee joint were included. It was not possible to pool data as outcome measures, timing of follow up and the methods of data reporting differed between trials. There was inconclusive conflicting evidence from two trials that walking time was reduced. There was evidence from one moderate quality trial that pain was reduced at 1-day post-injection (0-100 VAS from 28.33 to 13.46; McGill Pain Scale from 8.89 to 3.96) but not at 1 week or 7-12 weeks post-injection. There is some evidence that IA injections improved knee flexion (by 14 degrees) and reduced knee extension lag (by 20 degrees), knee circumference (median reduction = 0.3 cm) and morning stiffness (reduced from 60 mins to 7.6 mins). One trial (n=91) examined the effects of rest following injection in the knee. The rested group achieved significant improvement in pain, stiffness, knee circumference, and walking time when compared with the non-rested group (no point estimates provided). One trial evaluated rest following injection of the wrist (n=117). Relapse rate was higher in the rested group (rest relapse rate = 24/58, no-rest group = 14/59); but there were no differences between the rested and non-rested groups on pain, joint circumference, wrist function, grip strength or ROM. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is some evidence to support the use of IA steroid injections and resting a knee following injections but that wrists should not be rested following injections. The included studies involved adult participants so any conclusions can only cautiously applied to children. Further research is required to examine the use and type of rest and the differential responses of different joints following injections.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Benzodiazepines alone or in combination with antipsychotic drugs for acute psychosis.

BACKGROUND: Acute psychotic illness, especially when associated with agitated or violent behaviour, can require urgent pharmacological tranquillisation or sedation. In several countries, clinicians often use benzodiazepines (either alone or in combination with antipsychotics) for this outcome. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the effects of benzodiazepines, alone or in combination with antipsychotics, when compared to placebo or antipsychotics, to control disturbed behaviour and reduce psychotic symptoms. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group's register (October 2002 and April 2005), inspected reference lists of included and excluded studies and contacted authors of relevant studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included all randomised clinical trials comparing benzodiazepines, alone or in combination with antipsychotics, with placebo or sole use of antipsychotics, for people with acute psychotic illnesses. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We reliably selected studies, quality assessed them and extracted data. For binary outcomes we calculated standard estimates of relative risk (RR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI), and weighted number needed to treat or harm (NNT/NNH) statistics. For continuous outcomes we estimated a weighted mean difference between groups. If heterogeneity was found, we used a random effects model. MAIN RESULTS: We included eleven studies with a total of 648 participants. When comparing benzodiazepines with placebo, sedation was equally prevalent (n=102, 1 RCT, RR 1.67 CI 0.4 to 6.6), however, fewer people allocated lorazepam remained excited at 24 hours (n=102, RR 0.62 CI 0.4 to 1.0, NNT 5 CI 3 to 59). The lorazepam and placebo group experienced similar non-significant, low levels of adverse effects. In the comparison of benzodiazepines versus use of antipsychotics without use of anticholinergics/antihistamines, people allocated benzodiazepines did not clearly need additional medication compared with those given antipsychotics (n=216, 2 RCTs, RR 1.28 CI 0.5 to 3.2). Numbers sedated were also equivocal between groups (n=324, 6 RCTs, RR 0.76 CI 0.5 to 1.2) as were mental state ratings. Extrapyramidal symptoms were significantly higher in the antipsychotic treatment group (n=391, 7 RCTs, RR 0.17 CI 0.1 to 0.4, NNT 6 CI 2 to 17). Two trials (total n=83) comparing lorazepam plus haloperidol with lorazepam alone found no clear difference for the need of additional medication (n=83, 2 RCTs, RR 1.02 CI 0.8 to 1.3) or 'not improved' at one hour (n=20, 1 RCT, RR 1.47 CI 0.66 to 3.25). There was no difference in the incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms (n=83, 2 RCTs, RR 1.94 CI 0.2 to 20.3). Finally when the benzodiazepine plus antipsychotic combination was compared with antipsychotics alone (2 RCTs, n=95) there was no difference between groups in the need for additional medications (n=67, 1 RCT, RR 0.95 CI 0.8 to 1.2) or for mental state measures. Extrapyramidal symptoms were significantly lower for people receiving both benzodiazepines and antipsychotics compared with those receiving antipsychotics alone (n=95, 2 RCTs, RR 0.45 CI 0.2 to 0.9, NNH 2 CI 1 to 5). There was no significant difference in the number of participants unfit for early discharge (n=28, 1 RCT, RR 0.90 CI 0.54 to 1.5). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is insufficient data from these studies to support or refute the use of benzodiazepines with or without antipsychotics where emergency drugs are needed. The sole use of older antipsychotics unaccompanied by anticholinergic drugs may be problematic, but studies in this review are not large enough to identify any serious adverse effects of benzodiazepines such as respiratory depression. Larger, more informative studies are needed before definite conclusions can be drawn as to the efficacy of benzodiazapines.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2005

Optimal timing for intravenous administration set replacement.

BACKGROUND: Administration of intravenous therapy is a common occurrence within the hospital setting. Routine replacement of administration sets has been advocated to reduce intravenous infusion contamination. If decreasing the frequency of changing intravenous administration sets does not increase infection rates, a change in practice could result in considerable cost savings. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to identify the optimal interval for the routine replacement of intravenous administration sets when infusate or parenteral nutrition (lipid and non-lipid) solutions are administered to people in hospital via central or peripheral venous catheters. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE: all from inception to February 2004; reference lists of identified trials, and bibliographies of published reviews. We also contacted researchers in the field. We did not have a language restriction. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included all randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials addressing the frequency of replacing intravenous administration sets when parenteral nutrition (lipid and non-lipid containing solutions) or infusions (excluding blood) were administered to people in hospital via a central or peripheral catheter. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors assessed all potentially relevant studies. We resolved disagreements between the two authors by discussion with a third author. We collected data for the outcomes; infusate contamination; infusate-related bloodstream infection; catheter contamination; catheter-related bloodstream infection; all-cause bloodstream infection and all-cause mortality. MAIN RESULTS: We identified 23 references for review. We excluded eight of these studies; five because they did not fit the inclusion criteria and three because of inadequate data. We extracted data from the remaining 15 references (13 studies) with 4783 participants. We conclude that there is no evidence that changing intravenous administration sets more often than every 96 hours reduces the incidence of bloodstream infection. We do not know whether changing administration sets less often than every 96 hours affects the incidence of infection. In addition, we found that there were no differences between participants with central versus peripheral catheters; nor between participants who did and did not receive parenteral nutrition, or between children and adults. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: It appears that administration sets that do not contain lipids, blood or blood products may be left in place for intervals of up to 96 hours without increasing the incidence of infection. There was no evidence to suggest that administration sets which contain lipids should not be changed every 24 hours as currently recommended.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed2005

Positioning for acute respiratory distress in hospitalised infants and children.

BACKGROUND: Because of the association between prone positioning and sudden infant death syndrome SIDS) it is recommended that young infants be placed on their backs (supine). However, the supine position might not be the most appropriate position for infants and children hospitalised with acute respiratory distress. Positioning patients has been proposed as a non-invasive way of increasing oxygenation in adult patients with acute respiratory distress. But, because of substantial differences in respiratory mechanics between adults and children and the risk of SIDS in young infants, a specific review of positioning for infants and young children with acute respiratory distress is warranted. OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of different body positions in hospitalised infants and children with acute respiratory distress. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2004); MEDLINE (January 1966 to October Week 3, 2004); EMBASE (1980 to week 24, 2004); and CINAHL (1982 to October Week 3, 2004). SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomised or systematically-allocated controlled clinical trials comparing two or more positions in the management of infants and children hospitalised with acute respiratory distress. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were extracted from each study independently by two authors. Differences were resolved by consensus or referral to a third author. Continuous outcomes were analysed using a weighted mean difference and 95% confidence interval. No bivariate outcomes were available. All but one included study reported crossover data therefore this data was used for meta-analysis. Fixed-effect models were used unless heterogeneity was significant (p value equal to or less than 0.1), in which case a random-effects model was used. MAIN RESULTS: Forty-nine papers were selected for this review of which 21 studies (22 publications) were included. These studies compared prone, supine, lateral, elevated, and flat positions. Prone positioning was significantly more beneficial than supine positioning in terms of oxygen saturation, partial pressure of arterial oxygen, oxygenation index, thoraco-abdominal synchrony, and episodes of desaturation. There were no statistically significant differences between any other positions. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The prone position was significantly superior to the supine position in terms of oxygenation. However, as most patients included in the meta-analysis were ventilated, preterm infants the benefits of prone positioning may be most relevant to these infants. In addition, although placing infants and children in the prone position may improve respiratory function, the association of sudden infant death with prone positioning means that infants should only be placed in this position if continuous cardiorespiratory monitoring is used.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Mediastinal chest drain clearance for cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac tamponade may occur following cardiac surgery as a result of blood or fluid collecting in the pericardial space compressing the heart and reducing cardiac output. Mediastinal chest drains (including pericardial drains) are inserted as standard post-operative practice following cardiac surgery to assist the clearance of blood from the pericardial space and to prevent cardiac tamponade. To prevent chest tubes from blocking and so causing tamponade nurses manipulate them to prevent or remove clots. Manipulation methods including milking, stripping, fanfolding and tapping may be applied to the tubes to keep them from blocking. Evidence is required as to the safest and most effective means of preventing chest tube blockage and preventing cardiac tamponade. OBJECTIVES: To compare different methods of chest drain clearance (i.e. varying levels of suction or suction in combination with milking, stripping, fanfolding and tapping of chest drains) in preventing cardiac tamponade in patients following cardiac surgery. SEARCH STRATEGY: Over both the initial review and the 2004 revision, we searched the Cochrane Heart Group trials register, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CCTR) (Issue 4, 2003) The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR), the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness (DARE), Issue 4, 2003, MEDLINE (1966 to Nov Week 2, 2003), EMBASE (1980 to 2003 Week 47), CINAHL (1982 to Nov 2003), the Clinical Trials site of the NIH, (USA) (24.11.03) and reference lists of articles. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised, quasi-randomised or systematically allocated clinical trials of chest tube manipulation methods in adults and children with mediastinal chest drains following cardiac surgery were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. Study authors were contacted for additional information where required. Adverse effects information was collected from the trials. MAIN RESULTS: Three studies with a total of 471 participants were included. There was no data, however, which could be included in a meta-analysis. This was due to inadequate data provision by two of the studies. Where adequate data were provided there were no common interventions or outcomes to pool. On the basis of single studies there was no evidence of a difference between groups on incidence of chest tube blockage, heart rate, cardiac tamponade or incidence of surgical re-entry. REVIEWERS' CONCLUSIONS: There are insufficient studies which compare differing methods of chest drain clearance to support or refute the relative efficacy of the various methods in preventing cardiac tamponade. Nor can the need to manipulate chest drains be supported or refuted by results from RCT's.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗
PubMed2003

Bladder spasm in children after surgery for ureteric reimplantation.

The primary aim of this study was to prospectively investigate whether there was an association between the duration of post-operative catheterisation and the incidence of bladder spasm in children following ureteric reimplantation surgery. A secondary aim was to investigate whether other surgical and post-operative factors had an effect on the incidence of bladder spasm.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Deep versus shallow suction of endotracheal tubes in ventilated neonates and young infants.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical ventilation is commonly used in Neonatal Intensive Care Units to assist breathing in a variety of conditions. Mechanical ventilation is achieved through the placement of an endotracheal tube (ETT) which is left in-situ. The ETT is suctioned to prevent a build-up of secretions and therefore blockage of the airway. Methods of suctioning the endotracheal tube vary according to institutional practice and the individual clinician performing the task. The depth of suctioning is one of these variables. The catheter may be passed to the tip of the ETT or beyond the tip into the trachea or bronchi to facilitate removal of secretions. However, trauma to the lower airways may result from the suction catheter being passed into the airway beyond the tip of the endotracheal tube. OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness and complications of deep (catheter passed beyond the tip of the ETT) versus shallow (catheter passed to length of ETT only) suctioning of the endotracheal tube in ventilated infants. SEARCH STRATEGY: Using text words and subject headings relevant to endotracheal suctioning, searches were made of the Oxford Database of Perinatal Trials, Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, 2002), MEDLINE (from January 1966 to December 2002, all languages), CINAHL (from 1982 to 2002). In addition, a call was placed on the list servers, NICU-NET and Neonatal-Talk for unpublished trials, conference presentations and current trials. SELECTION CRITERIA: Controlled trials using random or quasi-random allocation of neonates receiving ventilatory support via an endotracheal tube to either deep or shallow endotracheal suctioning. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: No studies were found meeting the criteria for inclusion in this review MAIN RESULTS: No studies were found meeting the criteria for inclusion in this review REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: There is no evidence from randomised controlled trials concerning the benefits or risks of deep versus shallow suctioning of endo-tracheal tubes in ventilated neonates and infants. Further high quality research would be required to conclusively establish whether there are any benefits to deep or shallow suctioning. However, as it may be considered unethical to conduct a trial of deep suctioning given anecdotal evidence regarding possible damage to the airway, it is proposed that a randomised controlled trial comparing deep with shallow suctioning may be considered in a NICU where the standard practice includes a deep suctioning technique.

Humans↗
PubMed2003

Gauze and tape and transparent polyurethane dressings for central venous catheters.

BACKGROUND: Central venous catheters facilitate venous access, allowing the intravenous administration of complex drug treatments, blood products and nutritional support, without the trauma associated with repeated venepuncture. However, central venous catheters are associated with a risk of infection. Some studies have indicated that the type of dressing used for central venous catheters may affect the risk of infection. Gauze and tape or transparent polyurethane film dressings such as Tegaderm, Opsite or Opsite IV3000 are the most common types of dressing used to secure central venous catheters. Currently, it is not clear which type of dressing is the most appropriate. OBJECTIVES: To compare gauze and tape and transparent polyurethane central venous catheter dressings in terms of catheter related infection, catheter security, tolerance to dressing material and dressing condition in hospitalised adults and children. SEARCH STRATEGY: The Cochrane Wounds Group Specialised Trials Register (October 2002), the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (4th Quarter 2002) and the databases; MEDLINE (1966-December 2002, CINAHL (1982-October 2002) and EMBASE (1980-December 2002) were searched to identify any randomised controlled trials comparing the effects of gauze and tape and/or transparent polyurethane dressings for central venous catheter sites. Additional references were identified from bibliographies of published literature and were also sought from other sources. SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomised controlled trials evaluating the effects of dressing type (i.e. gauze and tape and/or transparent polyurethane dressings) on central venous catheter related infection, catheter security, tolerance to dressing material and dressing condition in hospitalised patients. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Twenty-three studies were reviewed. Data was extracted from each paper by two members of the review team independently and results then compared. Differences were resolved either by consensus or by referral to a third member of the review team. Authors were contacted for missing information. MAIN RESULTS: Of the 23 studies reviewed, 14 were excluded. Nine studies were included. Data was only available for meta-analysis from six of the nine included studies. Of the six included studies with available data, two compared gauze and tape with Opsite IV3000, two compared Opsite with Opsite IV3000, one compared gauze and tape with Tegaderm, and one compared Tegaderm with Opsite. There was no evidence of any difference in the incidence of infectious complications between any of the dressing types compared in this review. Each of these comparisons was based on no more than two studies and all of these studies reported data from a small patient sample. Therefore it is probable that the finding of no difference between dressing types is due to the lack of adequate data. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: There is a high level of uncertainty regarding the risk of infection with the central venous catheter dressings identified in this review. Therefore, at this stage it appears that the choice of dressing for central venous catheters can be based on patient preference. To identify the most appropriate central venous catheter dressings, further research is necessary. It is paramount that any future studies investigating this issue must be rigorously performed randomised controlled trials.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed2002

Mediastinal chest drain clearance for cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac tamponade may occur following cardiac surgery as a result of blood or fluid collecting in the pericardial space compressing the heart and reducing cardiac output. Mediastinal chest drains (including pericardial drains) are inserted as standard post-operative practice following cardiac surgery to assist the clearance of blood from the pericardial space and to prevent cardiac tamponade. Manipulation techniques including milking, stripping, fanfolding and tapping may be applied to the tubes to keep them from blocking. Evidence is required as to the safest and most effective means of preventing chest tube blockage and preventing cardiac tamponade. OBJECTIVES: To compare different methods of chest drain clearance (i.e. varying levels of suction or suction in combination with milking, stripping, fanfolding and tapping of chest drains) in preventing cardiac tamponade in patients following cardiac surgery. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Heart Group specialised register, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CCTR) (Issue 1, 2001) The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR), the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness (DARE), Issue 1, 2001, MEDLINE (1966 to May Week 1, 2001), EMBASE (1980 to 2001 Week 35), CINAHL (1982 to March 2001), the Clinical Trials site of the NIH, (USA) (10.09.01) and reference lists of articles. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised, quasi-randomised or systematically allocated clinical trials of chest tube manipulation techniques in adults and children with mediastinal chest drains following cardiac surgery were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. Study authors were contacted for additional information where required. Adverse effects information was collected from the trials. MAIN RESULTS: Three studies with a total of 471 participants were included. There was no data, however, which could be included in a meta-analysis. This was due to inadequate data provision by two of the studies and where adequate data were provided there were no common interventions or outcomes to pool. On the basis of single studies there was no difference between groups on incidence of chest tube blockage, heart rate, cardiac tamponade or incidence of surgical re-entry. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: There are insufficient studies which compare differing methods of chest drain clearance to support or refute the relative efficacy of the various techniques in preventing cardiac tamponade. Nor can the need to manipulate chest drains be supported or refuted by results from RCT's.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗
PubMed2001

A biomechanical model of the upper airways for simulating laryngoscopy.

This paper describes a three-dimensional finite element model of the human upper airways during rigid laryngoscopy. In this procedure, an anaesthetist uses a rigid blade to displace and compress the tongue of the patient, and then inserts a tube into the larynx to allow controlled ventilation of the lungs during an operation. A realistic model of the main biomechanical aspects involved would help anaesthetists in training and in predicting difficult cases in advance. For this purpose, the finite element method was used to model structures such as the tongue, ligaments, larynx, vocal cords, bony landmarks, laryngoscope blade, and their inter-relationships, based on data extracted from X-ray, MRI, and photographic records. The model has been used to investigate how the tongue tissue behaves in response to the insertion of the laryngoscope blade, when it is subjected to a variety of loading conditions. In particular, the mechanical behaviour of the soft tissue of the tongue was simulated, from simple linear elastic material to complex non-linear viscoelastic material. The results show that, within a specific set of tongue material parameters, the simulated outcome can be successfully related to the view of the vocal cords achieved during real laryngoscopies on normal subjects, and on artificially induced difficult laryngoscopy, created by extending the upper incisors teeth experimentally.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed2000

Dual voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the healthy elderly: subcortical-frontal axonal N-acetylaspartate levels are correlated with fluid cognitive abilities independent of structural brain changes.

The published literature suggests that degeneration of the subcorticofrontal networks may underlie cognitive ageing, but appropriate methods to examine this in vivo have been lacking. Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) has now been used in a number of clinical studies to assess cerebral pathophysicochemistry and recently has been utilized to examine the relationship between neurochemical markers and cognitive functioning in normal individuals. Results have been somewhat conflicting and difficult to interpret. To further clarify the role of the cognitive spectroscopy technique, we measured N-acetylaspartate (NAA) levels in the frontal subcortical white matter and the occipitoparietal grey matter and correlated them with performance in different cognitive domains in a group of twenty healthy elderly individuals. Subjects underwent whole brain T(1)- and T(2)-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), dual voxel short echo-time (1)H-MRS, and a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. Individual tests of executive and attentional abilities, and a principal components composite score reflecting these skills, but not measures of memory or verbal abilities, were correlated with NAA concentration in the frontal white matter only. These relationships were independent of other neurocognitive predictors of executive impairment such as age, midventricular dilation, frontal white matter disease, and presenescent verbal proficiency. This study suggests the ability of (1)H-MRS to differentiate anatomically distinct neurochemical markers related to specific cognitive abilities. In particular, neurometabolic fitness of the frontal subcortical-cortical axonal fibers may be important in mediating fluid intellectual processing. Longitudinal MRS studies are required to determine if the present results reflect different rates of neurocellular degeneration or preexisting individual differences in neuronal density.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Elderly trauma: they are different.

The elderly currently represent 11 per cent of the Australian population. By the year 2051 it has been estimated that 24 per cent of the population will be older than 65 years. One of the hazards facing the elderly is the risk of trauma. With this in mind, this paper has two major aims: one is to review the incidence and outcome of elderly trauma and the other is to identify pertinent points when assessing and managing the elderly trauma patient. Background information for this paper was obtained from the Australia Bureau of Statistics, Roads and Traffic Authority and Injury Surveillance Unit. A comprehensive literature review was then undertaken using the Medline and CINAHL databases.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed1994

A comparison of post-operative mobilization of flexor tendon repairs with "passive flexion-active extension" and "controlled active motion" techniques.

We report a comparative study of the outcome of flexor tendon repairs mobilized by either a "passive flexion-active extension" or a "controlled active motion" regimen. We show that the controlled active motion regimen conferred significant benefits on the final range of motion and extensor lag. The rupture rate was raised with "controlled active motion" but this was not greater than levels reported by other authors using "passive flexion-active extension" regimens.

Finger Injuries↗
PubMed1993

Electronic three-dimensional imaging of intestinal endoscopy.

Endoscopists, especially those investigating the colon, need to know where the tip of the instrument is and whether the tube is kinking. A three-dimensional real-time imaging system consisting of sensors, within or taped to the endoscope, to detect weak electric currents in a wire grid below the mattress yields the information needed and should greatly facilitate performance and teaching of endoscopy.

Colonoscopes↗