The Grady Memorial Hospital Burn Unit: a review of three and one-half year's experience.
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Burn Units↗
Biomedical subjects
R Sherman
Publications and source records attributed to R Sherman.
Coverage of bilateral lower extremity calcaneal fractures with osteomyelitis using a single split free gracilis muscle transfer.
A case is presented in which a single gracilis muscle was split and used for free-tissue coverage of two sites in a patient with bilateral calcaneal fractures and posttraumatic osteomyelitis. Muscle-flap coverage of osteomyelitis and the use of the gracilis muscle for free-tissue transfer are discussed.
Adult↗
Urinary hydroxyproline in infants with and without fractures/rickets.
Molar ratios of peptide-bound and free hydroxyproline:creatinine (OHPr:Cr) in urine were measured at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of age in two groups of very-low-birthweight (VLBW less than or equal to 1500 g) infants. Group A (15 infants) had radiographically confirmed fractures and (or) rickets (F/R); Group B (17 infants) did not. The urinary peptide-bound OHPr:Cr ratio varied widely within groups and was greatest at three months in both groups: A = 0.81 +/- 0.45 and B = 0.55 +/- 0.32 (mean +/- SD). The ratio decreased with increasing postnatal age for each group but was not statistically different between groups throughout the study. The urinary free OHPr:Cr ratio also was greatest at age three months (A = 0.32 +/- 0.15 and B = 0.53 +/- 0.46), rapidly decreasing afterwards, and was not statistically different between groups throughout the study. We conclude that, in VLBW infants, bone turnover as indicated by the urinary peptide-bound OHPr:Cr ratio is highest during early infancy; however, the wide range of values for this ratio suggests that its use alone is not sufficient for detection of F/R in VLBW infants. The rapid decrease in free OHPr:Cr ratio is presumably related to the maturation of renal tubular function.
Body Height↗
Occupational death due to heat stroke: report of two cases.
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Acclimatization↗
Serum vitamin D metabolites in very low birth weight infants with and without rickets and fractures.
Seventy-one very low birth weight (less than or equal to 1500 gm) infants were studied to determine the sequential changes in serum vitamin D metabolite concentrations between infants with and without radiographically documented rickets, fractures, or both (R/F). Usual intake of vitamin D included 20 IU/kg/day from parenteral nutrition or 400 IU/day supplementation with enteral feeding. Radiographs of both forearms and serum samples were obtained at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Twenty-two infants had R/F. At 3 months, significantly lower mean (+/- SEM) serum phosphorus levels (4.5 +/- 0.4 vs 6.1 +/- 0.2 mg/dl), higher 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25-[OH]2D) concentrations (96 +/- 5 vs 77 +/- 4 pg/ml), and higher free 1,25-(OH)2D index (1,25-[OH]2D:vitamin D binding protein ratio; 5.2 +/- 0.3 x 10(5) vs 4.0 +/- 0.2 x 10(5] were found in the R/F group. These values returned to normal and were similar between groups on subsequent measurements. Serum calcium, magnesium, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) concentrations were normal and similar between groups. In both groups, serum vitamin D binding concentrations increased initially but remained stable and normal beyond 6 months. We conclude that in very low birth weight infants with R/F, the vitamin D status (as indicated by serum 25-OHD concentrations) is normal, and that lowered serum phosphorus levels, higher serum 1,25-(OH)2D levels, and a higher free 1,25-(OH)2D index support the thesis that mineral deficiency (especially of phosphorus) may be important in the pathogenesis of R/F in small preterm infants.
Calcifediol↗
The role of CT scan in evaluation for laparotomy in patients with stab wounds of the abdomen.
Not every patient with a penetrating stab wound of the abdomen requires laparotomy. This report evaluates use of computerized tomographic (CT) scan in assessment of stable asymptomatic patients, with penetrating abdominal stab wounds, as an indicator of the necessity of abdominal exploration. In a prospective study, 50 patients with abdominal stab wounds were treated successfully with observation only, after admission abdominal CT scan interpretation was negative for pathology in 45 patients. In the remaining five it was of such minor nature that conservative management was justified (Series I). Twenty-eight stable asymptomatic patients with penetrating stab wounds of the abdomen comparable to the ones in Series I had CT scan on admission, and then underwent exploratory laparotomy independent of their CT scan findings (Series II). Of these 28 patients, 22 had correct CT scan findings verified by laparotomy, three were false positive for intra-abdominal injury resulting in negative explorations, and three patients had such nonspecific findings as fluid or air in the abdomen incompatible with precise organ injury identification. Our study shows that CT scan in patients with abdominal stab wounds identifies solid organ injury with great specificity and sensitivity, evaluates the retroperitoneum well, and detects peritoneal penetration by demonstrating intraperitoneal fluid or air. CT scan was unreliable in detection of bowel injury and does not demonstrate diaphragmatic injuries.
Abdominal Injuries↗
Sequential bone mineral content in small preterm infants with and without fractures and rickets.
Seventy-four infants with birth weights 1009 +/- 28 grams and gestational age 28.6 +/- 0.3 weeks (M +/- SEM) were studied prospectively to test the hypotheses that bone mineral content (BMC) measured by photon absorptiometry, would be: (1) lower in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with radiographic evidence of fractures and/or rickets (F/R), and (2) will continue to be lower over the first year when compared to VLBW infants without F/R. BMC and bone width (BW) of the distal one-third of left radius and ulna were measured at 5 weeks (n = 8), 14 weeks (n = 61), 26 weeks (n = 58), 40 weeks (n = 59), and 1 year (n = 52). Standardized radiographs of both forearms, and weight, length, and head circumference were also determined at each study age. Investigators and technicians involved in the photon absorptiometry measurements were unaware of the radiographic findings and vice versa. Twenty-three of 74 infants were found to have F/R. BMC of studied infants remained markedly below our previously determined range of "intrauterine bone mineralization," even at 26 weeks after birth. There was no significant difference in BMC or BW between infants with and without F/R, either at the time of confirmation of F/R or during early follow-up; however, BMC was lower at greater than or equal to 6 months and BW was lower at greater than or equal to 9 months in infants with F/R. We suggest that the extremely low BMC measurements in early infancy predispose all VLBW infants to fractures and rickets.
Birth Weight↗
The treatment of cutaneous vascular lesions with the Nd:YAG laser.
The Nd:YAG laser is well suited for the treatment of cutaneous vascular lesions. The characteristic properties of the Nd:YAG laser emissions in tissue are a high degree of penetration with low absorption by unpigmented tissue. The result is a coagulative effect on tissue containing hemoglobin with relative skin sparing. The Nd:YAG laser was used to treat 116 patients with a variety of cutaneous vascular lesions. Good to excellent results were obtained with a low complication rate for deep cavernous and capillary lesions, port wine stains, and minor vascular ectasias above the lower extremities. Minor venous ectasias and varicosities located on the lower extremities responded poorly. The Nd:YAG laser represents an efficacious tool for the treatment of difficult vascular lesions, with the exception of venous lesions of the lower extremities.
Facial Neoplasms↗
Experience with the Nd:YAG laser in the treatment of keloid scars.
Numerous therapeutic modalities have been espoused for the treatment of keloids. In the laboratory, great strides have been made in understanding the connective tissue pathobiology that underlies this problem. Unfortunately, no consistent treatment has been found to prevent the development of surface overhealing. Moreover, all forms of therapy designed to treat this condition have produced inconsistent results. This article documents the use of the Nd:YAG laser in the treatment of 20 patients with keloid scars. Candidates for the study included patients with no previous therapy and those who had prior treatment with steroids and/or surgery with no improvement. Although the use of Nd:YAG laser for keloids continues to be investigational, our results appear promising. Success of therapy was judged by softening and flattening of the scar. Laboratory studies provide a basis for understanding the possible effect of connective tissue metabolism with the Nd:YAG.
Acne Vulgaris↗
Carotid-cavernous sinus fistula complicating a complex shotgun facial injury.
Carotid-cavernous sinus fistula is a rare but major complication of severe head injuries. This pathological communication between the internal carotid artery and the surrounding cavernous sinus at the base of the skull may result in marked retinopathy, optic atrophy with permanent loss of vision, and, rarely, fatal epistaxis. Physical signs of this entity are pathognomonic and include marked chemosis, pulsating exophthalmos, and a pulse-synchronous supraorbital bruit. Diagnosis is confirmed by carotid angiography or computed tomography scan. Treatment modalities range from internal carotid ligation to catheter embolectomy and, at times, observation. A patient with carotid-cavernous sinus fistula following complex facial trauma is described. The differential diagnosis and management of this rare pathological entity is discussed. In their position as primary consultants of head and neck trauma, plastic and reconstructive surgeons should be aware of both the diagnosis and management of this unusual condition.
Adult↗
Bullet embolus to the right hepatic vein after a gunshot wound to the heart and its percutaneous retrieval.
Bullet emboli are rare and their management when in the venous circulation is controversial. A 26-year-old female with a gunshot wound to the heart, followed by embolization of the bullet to the right hepatic vein, had successful percutaneous retrieval of the bullet via a catheter inserted through the right femoral vein.
Adult↗
Evoked potentials to test a treatment of chronic multiple sclerosis.
Multimodal evoked potentials (EPs) were obtained serially in 57 patients with multiple sclerosis enrolled in a double-blind, controlled study of hyperbaric oxygen. We encountered drawbacks in the use of EPs in monitoring effects of a treatment for chronic multiple sclerosis. Limitations include a relatively arduous testing protocol and the significant occurrence of ambiguous and frankly unreproducible results. Test/retest variability is large in stable patients. There is poor correspondence between EP changes and changes of clinical function as well as among EP modalities. Whether EP measurements ultimately prove to be useful in testing new therapies awaits the development of a truly effective treatment, the effects of which can be shown despite these factors and limitations.
Brain↗
Gait changes in adult onset hemiplegia.
Multiple parameters of gait were evaluated in 50 adult acquired hemiplegic patients and 30 control patients with no history of gait abnormality and no deviation from normal gait by observational analysis. Findings in the hemiplegic group include: 1) increase in the proportion of the gait cycle spent in stance and double-limb support phases in both the normal and affected limb; 2) consistent deviation from normal gait pattern by observation and objective pattern analysis; 3) abnormal phasic activity of specific muscles and muscle groups in the affected limb; and 4) a consistent electrogoniometric deviation from normal joint ankle progression in the affected hip, knee and ankle. These data lend credence to the hypothesis that gait deviation in adult acquired hemiplegia follows a consistent pattern varying with the severity of central nervous system involvement. These data also provide a baseline from which to measure therapeutic intervention in this complex patient population.
Adult↗
The omentum as an untapped reservoir for microvascular conduits.
The use of the omentum as a source for vessel grafts is recommended when long or multiple vessel conduits are needed and when a combination of vessel grafts and soft tissue are needed. It is particularly suitable in reconstructing the superficial palmar arch but may also provide an immense graft reserve for the imaginative and careful surgeon.
Blood Vessel Prosthesis↗
Failure of high calcium and phosphorus supplementation in the prevention of rickets of prematurity.
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Bone and Bones↗
Treatment of cutaneous and deep vascular lesions with the Nd:YAG laser.
This study intends to document and evaluate the first compiled experience in the treatment of both cutaneous and deep vascular lesions using the Nd:YAG laser. Thirty-eight patients were treated over a 5-year period from 1979 to 1984 using the Nd:YAG laser with FDA approval. Lesions included capillary, cavernous, combined capillary-cavernous hemangiomas, portwine stains, arteriovenous malformations, lymphangiomas, multiple telangiectasias, and one case of Klippel-Trenaunay-Webber syndrome. The number of treatments per patient ranged from one to four. Partial or complete resolution of these various lesions, as evidenced by a decrease in size, and/or normalization of pathologic cutaneous changes was noted in a majority of patients. While both the argon and CO2 lasers have been well studied in the treatment of cutaneous vascular lesions, this is the first compiled series reporting results using the Nd:YAG for such problems. The Nd:YAG laser represents an alternative modality in the treatment of cutaneous hemangiomas and introduces an efficacious method in the treatment of cavernous vascular lesions.
Adolescent↗
Cerebral resuscitation after cardiac arrest using hetastarch hemodilution, hyperbaric oxygenation and magnesium ion.
This study was done to investigate the effects of hemodilution, hyperbaric oxygenation, and magnesium sulfate on cerebral resuscitation. Sixteen mongrel dogs were anesthetized, and monitored via pulmonary artery catheter, arterial catheter and electrocardiogram. A left lateral thoracotomy was done. Ventricular fibrillation was obtained by application of a 6-volt AC current. Mechanical ventilation was stopped. Total arrest time was 12 min. All dogs were cardiac resuscitated within 6 min using internal massage, ventilation, bicarbonate, epinephrine and internal defibrillation. The animals were then randomized into three groups. Group I represented controls, and were not treated. Group II dogs received normvolemic hemodilution using hetastarch (Hespan) containing magnesium sulfate (2000 mg/l), resulting in a hematocrit of 20%-30%. Group III dogs received the above hemodilution plus compression in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber to 2 atmospheres absolute. Critical care management and hourly neurologic scoring was performed for 7 days by blinded observers. All dogs at the time of death underwent autopsies for gross study. Data analysis revealed no statistical difference among the three groups with respect to survival time, cardiac function or neurologic scoring.
Analysis of Variance↗
Clinical applications of the extended deep inferior epigastric flap.
The extended deep inferior epigastric flap, described by Taylor et al. in 1983, consists of the lower portion of the rectus abdominis muscle and a superolateral fasciocutaneous extension based on the periumbilical perforators. We have used this flap four times to close large defects of the abdomen, groin, and thigh and twice as a free flap to close wounds of the head and leg. There were no ischemic complications, and there was uncomplicated wound healing in the recipient and in the donor wounds. We recommend this highly versatile and reliable flap as one to be considered early in planning the closure of large wounds.
Abdomen↗