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Biomedical subjects

R Gillespie

Publications and source records attributed to R Gillespie.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1978

Acute haemodilutional autotransfusion in the surgical management of scoliosis.

Homologous blood transfusions are not without risks, especially in young women and girls. In patients undergoing certain elective surgical procedures autologous blood transfusion is a good alternative. Normovolaemic haemodilution in association with autotransfusion offers the additional advantages of reduced loss of red cell mass during the operation and an increase in tissue blood flow. In this study twenty-seven adolescent patients undergoing Harrington instrumentation for idiopathic scoliosis had haemodilutional autotransfusions during their operations, none requiring homologous blood. Eighteen were given an average of 750 millilitres of homologous blood in the postoperative period which compared favourably with controls who required 1280 millilitres.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

The characteristics of juvenile idiopathic scoliosis and results of its treatment.

Fifty-nine children with juvenile idiopathic scoliosis have been reviewed. In six of eighteen who had no treatment the curvatures did not increase over eighteen months or more, while in twelve they increased at a median annual rate of six degrees. The pattern and magnitude of the curvature and the age at diagnosis could not be used accurately to predict progression. In forty-two patients progression occurred and Milwaukee brace treatment was begun, thirty being managed with periods of part-time wear. The median correction was 13 per cent. Serial measurements of the rib-vertebra angle difference (RVAD) were useful to predict a tendency to progress. Part-time wear of the brace was successful in cases where the RVAD values fell towards zero or became negative with treatment. Sixteen patients required surgical treatment; all had high positive RVAD values. However, with the plan of brace treatment outlined, part-time wear controlled many of the curvatures.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1976

The rib hump in idiopathic scoliosis. Measurement, analysis and response to treatment.

This paper describes a simple method for the recording of rib deformity in idiopathic scoliosis. The relationships have been recorded between the measured rib hump and rib depression deformities and 1) the rotation of the vertebral bodies (as measured by the method of Nash and Moe on the standing radiograph); 2) the degree of lateral curvature (as measured by the method of Cobb on the standing radiograph); and 3) the rib-vertebra angles and their differences (as described by Mehta). No clear linear relationships were found. Many examples of irregular relationship were recorded, for example, marked spinal rotation with minimal rib hump. The response of the rib deformities to treatment by Milwaukee brace in fifty-two patients is described; the hump is little changed but the depression on the opposite side may be considerably reduced. Harrington instrumentation may have a similar effect.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Van Nes rotational osteotomy for treatment of proximal femoral focal deficiency and congenital short femur.

The results of twenty Van Nes rotational osteotomies for unilateral proximal femoral focal deficiency and congenital short femur were analyzed after follow-ups of two to eight years. Assessed on the basis of prosthetic function, the results were good in ten, fair in six, and poor in four. Twelve patients required a rerotation procedure, six of them twice, because of postoperative derotation. Appropriate leg-length discrepancy to place the ankle, converted to the knee, at the right level, as well as normal ankle and foot motion and muscle power, are prerequisites to the procedure, which should be deferred until the child is about twelve years old to avoid prolonged hospitalization for rerotation and gait training.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon ages of amino acid extracts from Californian palaeoindian skeletons.

A decade ago, aspartic acid racemization ages were determined for some skeletal remains found in California, near La Jolla, Del Mar and Sunnyvale, suggesting that people were present in North America during the Upper Pleistocene. These ages were obtained from the aspartic acid racemization rate, which was calibrated using a radiocarbon date of 17,150 +/- 1,470 yr BP determined for a skeleton found in Laguna Beach, California. These studies generated an intense controversy not only about the antiquity of human beings in the New World but also about the validity of racemization-based ages, and prompted efforts to date the finds by other means. Here we have used accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) to determine the radiocarbon ages of the amino acid extracts used in the original racemization studies. Our studies indicate that some of the controversial Californian skeletons, which had been assigned to the Upper Pleistocene, are in fact Holocene.

Amino Acids↗
PubMedDate not supplied

"Borrowed" burn nurses: a cost-effective option for providing skilled staff during periods of need.

Staffing a burn center with qualified nurses is difficult because of highly variable patient census and the diversity and complexity of required nursing knowledge and skills. There are disadvantages to relying on usual temporary sources of supplemental staff. A viable alternative is the "borrowing" of burn nurses from another burn center during periods of high census. This solution has proved to be cost-effective and functional.

Bed Occupancy↗