Elective aesthetic cosmetic surgery of the female breast appears not to warrant the same attention to informed consent or authorisation as other surgical procedures. Arguments for benefits do not need to be persuasive since the prospective patient is usually 'sold on the idea'. This paper argues that more rather than less information is necessary where the surgery will not achieve what is claimed for it and where there are significant risks of harm. Evidence is presented to show that augmentation mammaplasty does not provide a solution to problems of body image, self-esteem and sexuality; it may result in considerable pain, suffering, financial and emotional cost, interference with life choices and a loss of trust in health care professionals. In view of the emerging data which points to the doubtful efficacy and safety of the procedure and the prosthetic devices, and since elective cosmetic surgery is said to be a growth industry, checks and balances need to be in place to ensure women are informed participants in decision-making. They require the best possible advice, care and support and nurses could play a more proactive role as patient advocates.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of conductivity measured hematocrit to microhematocrit.

Two electrical conductivity methods of hematocrit (H) measurement, Coulter Counter (CCH) and lonometer (IH), were compared to the microhematocrit (MH) with two different anticoagulants, Li Heparin (Li) and EDTA. The results showed MH-Li is higher than MH-EDTA (mean difference 1.7 vol%). The IH-Li is 1.8 vol% higher than CC H-EDTA. These differences are attributed to osmotic shrinking of red cells by EDTA. The MH-Li and IH-Li correlate very closely (r = .992), and are considered to provide the truest hematocrit values.

Erythrocyte Volume↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Nurses' perspectives on a national health plan.

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Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMedDate not supplied

An on-line monitor of dialyzer Na and K flux in hemodialysis.

A closed loop Na kinetic model is developed which permits 1) prescription of precise profiles of Na removal from its extracellular volume of distribution ((dVeCe)/dt), while 2) assuring that the total interdialytic accumulation of Na is removed during each dialysis. The model requires precise continuous measurement of Na flux in the dialysate stream, and a device to accomplish this (Ionflow) was developed and evaluated. In vivo studies showed that changes in body content of Na agreed to +/- 40 mEq, with total Na flux measured by Ionoflow. This agreement is excellent, considering that +/- 1 mEq/L in blood Na represents approximately 40 mEq in the average patient. The Ionoflow is considered accurate to +/- 10 to 20 mEq Na over a dialysis. The Ionoflow fulfills monitoring requirements necessary to implement clinical trials of closed loop Na modeling.

Dialysis Solutions↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Complementary therapies. Reflex zone therapy for mothers.

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Acupuncture Points↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Not free to be moral.

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Education, Nursing↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Spotlight on children. Learning to lose fear.

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Child↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of razoxane on metastases from colorectal cancer.

At a median follow-up of 5 years, adjuvant razoxane (125 mg b.d.) given 5 days/week indefinitely following resection of colorectal cancer provided no benefit in terms of survival or recurrence for Dukes' A or B patients when compared to untreated controls. However in Dukes' C patients this treatment reduced the recurrence rate (P = 0.05) and possibly increased survival time (P = 0.08). Analysis now of the development of metastases in this trial which entered 272 patients over 7 years shows that in the Dukes' C group the incidence of liver metastases in the razoxane-treated patients is only about half that of the untreated patients (18 per cent versus 34 per cent) and that the time to first appearance of the liver metastases is twice as long in the razoxane-treated group as it is in the untreated group (80 weeks versus 40 weeks). It is concluded that the benefit of adjuvant razoxane observed in the Dukes' C patients is due to the antimetastatic activity of the drug in reducing and slowing down the development of hepatic secondaries.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Handled with care.

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Child, Preschool↗