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N Skovgaard

Publications and source records attributed to N Skovgaard.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Convalescence after inguinal herniorrhaphy.

BACKGROUND: Convalescence after inguinal herniorrhaphy is usually 3-4 weeks and is an important outcome parameter of hernia surgery. The aim of this study was to describe in detail the consequences of recommending a short convalescence, including the risk of recurrence. METHODS: This was a multicentre prospective questionnaire study in patients given a recommendation for short convalescence (1 day); information was recorded on expected length of convalescence, employment status, physical workload and limiting factors. The reoperation rate in patients included in the study (group 1, n = 1059) was compared with that for comparable patients treated in participating departments but not part of the study group (group 2, n = 1306) and patients in the Danish Hernia Database (group 3, n = 8297). RESULTS: The median time off work was 7 days and the time interval before carrying out the most strenuous leisure activity was 14 days. After 30 days, 6.8 per cent of patients had not resumed employment and 17.0 per cent had not yet resumed strenuous leisure activity. Important reasons for not resuming work and leisure activity were pain (approximately 60 per cent of patients) and wound problems (approximately 20 per cent). The reoperation rate in group 1 at the median observation time was 0.7 per cent, which was no different to that in group 2 (1.6 per cent) (P = 0.186) or group 3 (1.4 per cent) (P = 0.092). CONCLUSION: Reduced convalescence after inguinal herniorrhaphy may be recommended without incurring a risk of higher reoperation rates. Pain and wound problems remain the most important factors for not resuming work or leisure activity as recommended.

Adult↗

Interlocking nailing of humeral shaft fractures.

: In this retrospective study 48 humeral shaft fractures in 48 patients were operated on using the Seidel interlocking nail. The length of follow-up ranged from 6 to 60 months (median, 26 months). The treatment of fractures was satisfactory with the Seidel nail, but we emphasize the importance of countersinking the tip of the nail into the humeral head to avoid impingement. In 5 of 12 patients with non-unions, the procedure failed, and we found that the distal locking seemed to be inadequate. Pathological fractures (i.e., those caused by metastatic tumors) were all efficiently treated with the Seidel nail.

Adult↗

Lack of relationship between serum and gallbladder bile calcium in patients with gallstone disease.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies suggest that alternation in serum calcium influences the level of gallbladder bile ionized calcium (Ca2+). Theoretically, this could increase the risk of calcium precipitation in the gallbladder. METHODS: We therefore measured serum and gallbladder bile minerals in patients with gallstones (n = 27) and without (n = 10, controls). The serum samples were taken just prior to induction of anaesthesia and gallbladder bile was aspirated before any manipulation of the gallbladder. RESULTS: The active molality of Ca2+ in gallbladder bile was not statistically significant different between cases and controls (0.44 +/- 0.16 vs. 0.40 +/- 0.10 mmol/kg), whereas pH was significantly lower (6.94 +/- 0.31 vs. 7.36 +/- 0.28, p < 0.0001) and cholesterol higher (4.37 +/- 2.70 vs. 1.79 +/- 1.33 mmol/l; p < 0.01) in gallbladder bile obtained from cases. Serum Ca2+ at actual pH, magnesium and phosphate were significantly higher among cases than in controls. Gallbladder bile active molality of Ca2+ was significantly correlated with bile total calcium in both groups (r = 0.72; p < 0.001 and r = 0.91; p < 0.001, respectively). In controls only, we observed a positive relationship between serum Ca2+ at actual pH and the active molality of Ca2+ in bile (r = 0.61; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that Ca2+ in gallbladder bile does not differ between cases and controls. The lack of correlation between serum and gallbladder bile constituents in cases compared to controls suggests that changes in calcium equilibration between bile and serum in patients with gallstone disease might be of importance for the formation of gallstones.

Adult↗

Observer variation in the radiographic classification of fractures of the neck of the femur using Garden's system.

By means of Kappa statistics, we calculated the inter- and intra-observer variation in the classification of fractures of the neck of the femur according to Garden's system. Radiographs of 96 consecutive patients were assessed independently by six observers who agreed on classification for only 14 fractures (15%). The level of agreement was poor for the overall classification (Kappa = 0.39). When reducing Garden's system into non-displaced (Stage I and II) and displaced fractures (Stage III and IV) the level of agreement became acceptable (Kappa = 0.68). However, problems remain in distinguishing Stage II and Stage III fractures, and further improvements in the classification system are necessary.

Femoral Neck Fractures↗

[Salmonella dublin].

Salmonella dublin's natural host is cattle; it may cause acute disease in calves, while adult animals may be asymptomatic carriers. In humans S. dublin is the most invasive of the zoonotic Salmonella-bacteria found in Denmark. It is much more frequently isolated from the blood than from the faeces and may give rise to serous metastatic infections in practically all organs. The number of registered human infections rose from zero to 46 per year during the period 1980-1988, but has now stabilized at a level of about 20 per year. Outbreaks have been described abroad as being caused by unpasteurised milk and cheese; in Denmark beef and cow's liver must be viewed as the dominant source of infection. The direct routes of infection are, however, unknown. Tightening of regulations for the slaughtering of animals from S. dublin infected herds, optimal hygiene in the slaughterhouses and increased cooperation between the veterinary and medical professions concerning investigation of routes of infection are necessary measures to be taken in order to reduce the number of human S. dublin infections.

Animals↗

Evaluation of a new semi-automated screening method for the detection of Salmonella in foods within 24 h.

A new method for the detection of Salmonella in foods and feeds, 'The EiaFoss Salmonella Method' has been performance tested in comparison with a traditional technique, the Rappaport-Vassiliadis cultural procedure, as reference method. The new method is based on a two step enrichment procedure (19 and 3 h) using two different pre-enrichment broths (Salmonella enrichment broth, SEB I and SEB II) for raw and processed foods, followed by an automated enzyme immunoassay (EIA) carried out in the 'EiaFoss analyser'. A total of 161 food and nine feed samples were investigated. Only naturally contaminated samples were used. Viable Salmonella were recovered in 30 samples using either method. When using the EiaFoss Salmonella Method 13% more samples (27:24) were proved salmonella-positive compared with the reference method. The explanation for the better performance of the EiaFoss Salmonella Method is discussed and attributed in part to better enrichment procedures when using SEB I or SEB II.

Animal Feed↗

Application of multilocus enzyme electrophoresis in studies of the epidemiology of Listeria monocytogenes in Denmark.

A total of 245 strains of Listeria monocytogenes were investigated. These strains were isolated from human and animal cases of listeriosis as well as from different kinds of raw and processed foods. Thirty-three electrophoretic types (ETs) were identified among the 245 strains. The strains investigated included all human clinical strains isolated in Denmark during 1989 and 1990. Seventy-three percent of the strains isolated in this period were assigned to one of only two ETs (ET 1 and ET 4). ET 1, which was found to be the most frequently occurring ET among strains isolated from human clinical cases, was also found to occur rather frequently in animal clinical cases. ET 1 was, however, found only sporadically among strains isolated from foods and food factories. The data indicate that there might be something distinctive about the physiology or ecology of the ET 1 clone which makes it more likely to bring about disease in human beings either because of high pathogenicity or because of a special ability to multiply to infectious doses in processed foods. Another type, designated ET 4, was found to be the next most frequently occurring ET, after ET 1, among human clinical isolates. This could be explained by the fact that ET 4 was found to be the most frequently occurring ET within food isolates.

Animals↗

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in 226 iliac artery stenoses: role of the superficial femoral artery for clinical success.

We reviewed the results of 174 consecutive percutaneous transluminal angioplasties (PTA) for 226 iliac artery stenoses (mean length 1.6 cm, range 0.2-9.6 cm) in 150 patients with lower limb ischaemia. Vascular intervention was indicated by intermittent claudication in 123 and critical ischaemia in 51 (29%) limbs. There were 12 (7%) failed guide-wire recanalizations. Four (2%) serious complications from puncture site haemorrhages or peripheral embolizations were handed surgically and caused one major amputation. Five-year patency in 162 successful dilatations was 68% primarily and 81% secondary to vascular surgical reconstructions during an average 28 (range 1-60) months of observation. One hundred and thirteen (70%) limbs improved clinically. In 95 limbs treated exclusively by iliac PTA, clinical improvement was achieved in 38/47 (81%) limbs with patency and 24/48 (50%) limbs with occlusion of the superficial femoral artery (SFA) (p < 0.003), whereas vascular patency of iliac PTA was unaffected by status of the SFA. Five-year limb salvage rate was 50% in limbs with critical ischaemia. We conclude that PTA for iliac artery stenoses is a low-risk procedure offering acceptable clinical results provided the SFA is patent. As an adjunct to distal bypass surgery, iliac PTA improves inflow without the requirement for major aorto-iliac surgery and may extend indications for vascular intervention in patients with lower limb ischaemia.

Adult↗

The need for continuous training in food factories.

The dissemination in food factories of the organisms I have referred to earlier, represent significant and interesting issues of public health concern. Yet there seem to be difficulties in incorporating material in education-training-information programmes explaining merely the most simple and basic facts about the risk involved in food being contaminated in food factories. Such educational programmes are essential components in the overall scheme of foodborne disease control, yet they often represent the weakest links in the control chain. There has been a decline in the emphasis on food hygiene in some programmes at the level of institutions of higher education, and a de-emphasis on food hygiene has occurred over the past few decades in schools of veterinary medicine in some parts of the world. This committee has taken active steps to improve this situation by convening a professorial consultation on post-graduate teaching in advanced food microbiology, Copenhagen 1989 (Park, 1990). The public, as well as politicians, focus for the time being on chemical contamination of foods, possible presence of residues, thereby ignoring the fact that statistically it is not the residues that cause deaths which count, but, without a shadow of doubt, the foodborne pathogens. This fact emphasizes the need for intensive training in preventive hygienic measures. Since representatives of the food industry are participating in the Symposium, I would like to balance the problems by saying: we all share a responsibility in securing education in food hygiene in food factories.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Education, Continuing↗

Iopromide versus diatrizoate. A comparative study of adverse reactions.

One hundred patients were at random given an intravenous injection of equal amounts of either diatrizoate or iopromide. Subjective patient discomfort and objective parameters of adverse reactions were recorded. There were significantly fewer patients with adverse effects in the iopromide group, both as an overall estimate and especially for heat sensation, nausea and increase in heart rate. Iopromide is recommended for increased patient safety.

Adolescent↗

The incidence of Listeria spp. in faeces of Danish pigs and in minced pork meat.

One hundred and seventy-two samples of pig faeces, collected at a slaughterhouse, were investigated for Listeria species. Three of the samples (1.7%) contained L. monocytogenes, while L. innocua was demonstrated in four other samples. The 172 samples represented pigs from 72 herds, 14 (19%) of which were SPF herds. Listeria was not demonstrated in any of the samples from the SPF herds representing 24% of all samples investigated. This indicates that the incidence of L. monocytogenes in SPF herds might be very low. In 51 samples of minced pork, Listeria spp. were demonstrated in 32 samples, L. monocytogenes in six samples, L. innocua in 26 samples, and L. seeligeri in one sample. In comparison with similar findings in cattle faeces and minced beef, the conclusion was drawn that faecal contamination may play an important rôle in the dissemination of L. monocytogenes in raw meats.

Animals↗

The importance of internal urethrotomy a.m. Otis for the incidence of urethral stricture following transurethral prostatectomy.

The most frequent late postoperative complication of transurethral prostatectomy (TURP) is the formation of urethral stricture. Several studies indicate that the number of strictures can be reduced by performing internal urethrotomy a.m. Otis just before TURP. We compared the incidence of urethral stricture in 218 patients, who in 1982 had TURP without preceding internal urethrotomy a.m. Otis as against 183 patients, who in 1983 had TURP with preceding internal urethrotomy a.m. Otis. In 1982 (-Otis group) the incidence of urethral stricture was 7.3%, and in 1983 (+Otis group) it was 4.4%. This difference is not significant, but the tendency and results from other studies make us recommend the method until a larger controlled trial has been performed.

Adult↗

Detection of Listeria spp. in faeces from animals, in feeds, and in raw foods of animal origin.

Thirty-nine samples of feeds and 79 faecal samples were collected at seven different dairy farms, at some of which the cows were suffering from Listeria mastitis. Faecal samples were also collected from poultry on a dairy farm and from cages used for transportation of poultry to slaughter. Also neck-skin samples were taken from 17 carcasses of dressed poultry, and five samples of scalding and chilling water at a poultry slaughterhouse. Finally, 67 samples of minced beef were collected from retail shops. The overall results show that approximately 82% of the feed samples harboured Listeria spp. and 62% Listeria monocytogenes. The faecal samples showed that 67% harboured Listeria spp. and 51% L. monocytogenes. In the minced beef samples, Listeria spp. could be demonstrated in 67% and L. monocytogenes in 28%. Of the faecal samples from poultry, 33% harboured Listeria spp. and also 33% L. monocytogenes. Listeria spp. were detected in 94% of the poultry neck-skin samples, and L. monocytogenes in 47%. Almost all L. monocytogenes from faeces and feeds agglutinated Listeria antisera against serotypes 1-4, while only 71% of the strains from minced beef agglutinated the same antisera. The high prevalence of positive findings indicates that the isolation method used is suitable for detection of Listeria spp. in heavily contaminated material as well as in foods with low bacterial counts.

Abattoirs↗