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Biomedical subjects

Donald Liu

Publications and source records attributed to Donald Liu.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Endodontic working width: current concepts and techniques.

Root canal morphology is a critically important part of conventional and surgical endodontics (root canal therapy). Many in vitro studies have recorded the scales and average sizes of root canals, but there have been few clinical attempts to determine the working width. In the absence of a study that defines what the original width and optimally prepared horizontal dimensions of canals are, clinicians are making treatment decision without any support of scientific evidence. This article provides definitions and perspectives on the current concepts and techniques to handle working width-the horizontal dimension of the root canal system-and its clinical implications.

Dental Pulp↗

C-Reactive protein-determined injury severity: length of stay predictor in surgical infants.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels reflect the severity of the metabolic response to injury in critically ill children. During this period, caloric overfeeding can increase complications and delay recovery. The authors hypothesized that by avoiding excessive caloric delivery, the effect of injury severity would be the major factor determining clinical outcome. METHODS: Twenty-eight surgical infants who had indirect calorimetry measurements while in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit between August 2000 and January 2002 were studied. Serum CRP concentrations, mean energy expenditure (MEE), respiratory quotient (RQ), length of hospital stay (LOS), and caloric intake (I) at the time of indirect calorimetry were recorded. Data were analyzed using the Pearson product-moment correlation. RESULTS: Peak serum CRP was significantly correlated to LOS in all patients (r = 0.79, P < .0001). When net caloric balance (I-MEE) did not exceed 5 kcal/kg/d (n = 9), peak serum CRP was correlated positively with RQ (r = 0.66, P = .05). When I-MEE exceeded 5 kcal/kg/d (n = 19), the positive correlation of serum CRP with RQ was diminished (r = 0.23, P = .33). CONCLUSIONS: CRP-measured injury severity is a major determinant of clinical outcome in surgical infants. In addition, overfeeding causes additional RQ elevation.

C-Reactive Protein↗

Thoracic packing for uncontrolled bleeding in penetrating thoracic injuries.

We present a series of three patients who suffered penetrating thoracic injury, and in whom thoracic packing was used as a life-saving procedure. Survival among these patients paralleled the severity and extent of the original injuries. Restriction of cardiac filling and lung expansion are potential deterrents from using this technique; however, its use seems to be a valid adjunct, especially in the setting of chest wall bleeding coming from the intercostal arteries. Damage control surgery in pentrating thoracic trauma, including thoracic packing, is a sound alternative when uncontrollable bleeding, hypothermia and coagulopathy compromises the survival of a patient.

Adolescent↗

Delayed hemopericardium after penetrating chest trauma: thoracoscopic pericardial window as a therapeutic option.

A 41-year-old male developed a hemothorax after sustaining a stab wound in the right chest. The patient was managed conservatively with thoracostomy tube drainage for 3 days and was subsequently discharged home. Two weeks later the patient returned to the hospital with pleuritic chest pain and shortness of breath. Imaging studies revealed a right-sided pleural effusion and an enlarged cardiac silhouette, which was consistent with pericardial effusion as per ultrasonography. Thoracoscopic exploration revealed an enlarged heart, that following pericardiotomy drained 400 mL of frank blood. Subsequently, cardiac contractility improved, and no further bleeding was evident.

Adult↗

Laparoscopic pyloromyotomy: redefining the advantages of a novel technique.

OBJECTIVE: With recent advances in minimally invasive techniques, many surgeons are favoring laparoscopic over traditional "open" pyloromyotomy for hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. The results of few studies, however, exist in the literature adequately comparing surgical outcome. We present a retrospective analysis of 56 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic or open pyloromyotomy. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 56 consecutive infants (ages: 2 to 9 weeks; weights: 2.2 to 5.4 kilograms) who underwent laparoscopic (Group A-28) vs open (Group B- 28) pyloromyotomy between January 2000 and May 2001 was performed. Preoperative (age, sex, weight, HCO3, and K values) and postoperative (operating time, time to full feedings, persistence of emesis, and hospital stay) parameters were compared. Statistical analysis was performed via the Student t test and chi-square/Fischer analysis where appropriate. A P value <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Preoperative parameters of both groups were similar (P>0.05). In Group A, 26/28 (92.9%) were completed successfully with 2 open conversions. Group A versus Group B average operating times (36.1 vs 32.5 minutes), time to full feedings (24.1 vs 27.0 hours), and hospital stay (2.5 vs 2.6 days) were similar (P>0.05). Persistent vomiting was observed in Group A, 25.0% (day 1)/3.5% (day 2) vs Group B, 39.3% (day 1)/10.7% (day 2). One infant in Group B required operative drainage of a wound abscess 1 week after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic pyloromyotomy can be performed with similar efficiency and surgical outcome as traditional open pyloromyotomy. Improved cosmesis and avoidance of wound complications are major benefits of this procedure, and a tendency towards less postoperative emesis is a potential benefit that deserves further investigation.

Case-Control Studies↗