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Biomedical subjects

L T Swanson

Publications and source records attributed to L T Swanson.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Treatment options for hypoplastic left heart syndrome: a mother's perspective.

The congenital heart defect of HLHS is nearly uniformly fatal without intervention. As surgeons gain experience with the techniques the success rates are improving; more infants with HLHS are being offered hope for survival and quality of life. The critical nature of this diagnosis, the relatively new treatment options, and uncertainty of the surgical outcome impose tremendous stress on the parents. Choice of treatment is difficult and should be made in collaboration with the attending physician. Although the first year of my son's life was difficult, the past 5 years have been wonderful. He continues to thrive and enjoy most of the activities other 6-year-olds enjoy. In retrospect, palliative surgery was a good option for him. As both his mother and a cardiac nurse, I recognize that he may once again require surgical intervention, but I am encouraged that medical and surgical advances are being made for children with HLHS.

Decision Making↗
PubMed1977

Postoperative physiotherapy device for mandibular hypomobility.

The most difficult problem in the treatment of ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint is to maintain the immediate jaw mobility gained by surgery over a long period of time. This article describes a spring-loaded device for physiotherapy which provides an active opening force from the mandibular splint, distributed against a splint on the maxillary teeth and hard palate. Because the force is continuous and broadly distributed, patients have been able to exercise with minimal discomfort, and they have been able to maintain their initial postoperative mobility.

Ankylosis↗
PubMed1975

Evaluation of craniofacial surgery in the treatment of facial deformities.

Surgical access to the cranial, orbital, and facial areas, as developed by Tessier, has produced not only definitive repair of previously uncorrectable congenital deformities such as orbital hypertelorism and facial stenosis (e.g., Crouzon's, Apert's syndromes) but also has improved markedly the treatment of traumatic and neoplastic defects. The surgical approach allows complete dissection of facial soft tisses including the orbits from the underlying bones followed by corrective osteotomies and fixation. Mobilization of the frontal lobes through a frontal bone flap exposure may be required. The ramifications of this latest intrusion by surgeons into a previously inviolate anatomic area have involved neurosurgeons, ophthalmologists, anesthesiologists, and dental and psycho-social disciplines. The disciplines of genetics and embryology are being influenced by this new field of surgery, much as the study of immunology was influenced by transplantation surgery two decades ago. This report analyzes a 10 year experience with over 100 patients with emphasis on patient selection by disease, age, intellectual status, morbidity, complications, and the psycho-social reactions of patient and family. Procedures initially planned to correct dental and aesthetic defects are proving beneficial for other functions including hearing, taste and smell, articulation and tongue movement, respiratory function, vision, and possibly bone growth. The development of self image, a normal process always in operation, is also strikingly altered. These operations may last as long as 14 to 16 hours. We have had no deaths or postoperative blindness. One postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak was successfully repaired. Three partial losses of bone grafts and four instances of late cellulitis have occurred. Prevention of infection seems related to avoidance of dead spaces and primary closure of all mucosal, dural, conjunctival and skin surfaces.

Adolescent↗