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Biomedical subjects

S F Miller

Publications and source records attributed to S F Miller.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Elimination of urinary retention following inguinal herniorrhaphy.

In a group of 880 patients undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy using local anesthesia, the incidence of postoperative urinary retention was 0.2 per cent. During the same period, a similar group of 200 patients had their hernias repaired using general or spinal anesthesia. The incidence of postoperative urinary retention was 13 per cent. The authors contend that the use of local anesthesia in inguinal hernia repair almost eliminates postoperative urinary retention.

Adolescent↗

Coverage of full-thickness burns with bilayered skin equivalents: a preliminary clinical trial.

A total of six patients have received bilayered skin-equivalent coverage of full-thickness burns, with takes of 50% to 70% in the later patients. These skin-equivalent grafts are constructed by combining allogeneic fibroblasts with collagen to form a sheet and adding a suspension of autologous epidermal cells to the surface of the collagen matrix. These bilayered skin-equivalent grafts have provided an expansion of at least fifteenfold to twentyfold for the area covered by the donor epidermis. By 8 months after grafting, the skin-equivalent grafts appeared smooth and approximated the color of normal skin. Long-term problems associated with hypertrophic scarring or graft fragility have not developed during the 18-month period of follow-up.

Adolescent↗

Treatment of exposed bilateral Achilles tendons with use of the Dynasplint. A case report.

Third- and fourth-degree burns, which extend beyond the layers of the skin, are the most severe and difficult to rehabilitate. In this case report, a patient's recovery from exposed Achilles tendons bilaterally secondary to a severe burn injury is described. The Dynasplint, a spring-loaded orthosis designed to deliver a low-load, prolonged stretch to healing connective tissue, was used to facilitate the patient's recovery from an initial loss of -29 and -27 degrees of dorsiflexion of the right and left ankles, respectively. The patient's progress is reported from bed rest to independent ambulation at the time of discharge from the hospital.

Achilles Tendon↗

Cat-scratch disease: report of a case with liver lesions and no lymphadenopathy.

The usual presentation of cat-scratch disease (CSD) is a subacute regional lymphadenitis following cutaneous inoculation. We present the case of a 10-yr-old white female with a 4-wk history of abdominal pain and fever, without associated lymphadenopathy. A 67Ga scintigram showed inhomogenous uptake by the liver. An abdominal computed tomographic (CT) scan revealed multiple low density lesions in the liver and the spleen, that were confirmed at laparotomy. Stellate microabscesses were seen on a wedge biopsy of the liver and a CSD antigen skin test was positive. CSD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of liver lesions, even in the absence of lymphadenopathy. This case emphasizes the importance of inhomogeneous 67Ga uptake by the liver.

Abscess↗

Fluid retention and burn survival.

The relationship between retained fluid and survival has previously been reported from our burn unit. Two hundred thirty cc/kg lean body mass accurately delineated survivors from nonsurvivors. Our previous study did not account for fluid lost through the burn wound. This study was undertaken to evaluate fluid retention per square meter of body surface area which has been corrected for fluid loss from the burn wound using a formula suggested by Mason et al. Data collected from 95 adult patients with burns greater than or equal to 20% body surface area burn (mean age, 42.4 years; mean burn size, 37.7%), who were admitted to our burn unit between January 1978 and September 1985, were evaluated. All patients included in the study were adequately resuscitated and survived the initial 48 hours. A calculation of the total fluid retained during the first 48 hours postburn and estimation of fluid loss from the burn wound were made. A comparison was made between lean body retained fluid and surface area retained fluid. A positive correlation (r = 0.921; p less than 0.001) was demonstrated between these two methods of assessing fluid retention. Fluid retention determined by either method resulted in a higher correlation with survival than any single predictor (age, per cent body surface area burned) of burn survival. Surface area fluid is as accurate as lean body fluid in predicting survival. Additionally, we determined that for the first 48 hours postburn, 4,425 cc fluid retained per meter square body surface area accurately differentiated survivors from nonsurvivors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

A correlation of response time and results of abdominal gunshot wounds.

Gunshot wounds to the abdomen are an indication for exploratory laparotomy in all cases except those involving the most superficial abdominal wall injuries. The charts of 123 patients admitted for abdominal gunshot wounds were reviewed for times of arrival on the scene by paramedics, in the emergency room, and in the operating room, as well as for number of admissions. Results of therapy were also graded and correlated with response times. The mean paramedic response time was 4 minutes 30 s. An average of 24 minutes 24 s was spent at the scene and in transport. The average delay from admission to arrival in the operating room was 1 hour 49 minutes. Patients who died spent an average of 54.4 minutes in the emergency room prior to surgical intervention. These results may represent justification for regionalization of trauma and direct transport to the operating room for abdominal gunshot wounds.

Abdominal Injuries↗

Fluid retention during the first 48 hours as an indicator of burn survival.

The quantity of fluid retained during the first 48 hours of resuscitation has been suggested as an indicator of burn severity and mortality (13). In this study of 82 adult burned patients with more than 20% total body surface burns we found that the net fluid retention during the first 48 hours of resuscitation was a predictor of burn mortality and additionally 230 cc of retained fluid per kilogram of lean body mass in the initial 48 hours postburn was an excellent means for separating survivors from nonsurvivors. Fluid retention as an indicator of burn severity and mortality was compared to other methods of predicting burned patient mortality. Parameters evaluated included the per cent body surface area burned, per cent full thickness burn, presence or absence of inhalation injuries, sex, age, and ultimate outcome. The Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI) (14) was determined for each patient using these data. A comparison was made between fluid retention data, per cent body surface area burned, and the calculated Abbreviated Burn Severity Index and patient mortality. The power of each variable to predict mortality was evaluated by stepwise regression analysis. From this analysis net fluid retention during the first 48 hours of resuscitation was as accurate as the Abbreviated Burn Severity Index and was a better predictor of mortality than individual components of that Index.

Adolescent↗

A statistical analysis of drainage versus nondrainage of elective cholecystectomy.

A retrospective review is undertaken to evaluate the effects of drainage versus nondrainage of the gallbladder bed after elective cholecystectomy. Two hundred charts of patients who underwent elective cholecystectomy without choledochotomy were reviewed. Patient selection was based upon several criteria: elective cholecystectomy, lack of explorations of the common duct and lack of associated surgical procedures. Two equal groups were analyzed. Those who had postoperative drainage of the subhepatic space and those who did not have drainage. Postoperative length of stay, maximum postoperative temperature elevation and the number of postoperative analgesics were significantly higher (p less than 0.001) in the drainage group. The rate of progression to regular diet was significantly faster in the nondrainage group (p less than 0.001) and the number of complications was higher in the drainage group (p less than 0.05). No complications were noted due to the lack of drain placement. It was concluded that routine drainage of the subhepatic space after elective cholecystectomy without choledochotomy is unnecessary and contributes to increased postoperative morbidity, length of hospital stay and a higher rate of complications.

Adult↗

Acute appendicitis during pregnancy.

Forty-one appendectomies were performed on pregnant patients during the period 1973-1983. The preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis was correct in 57 per cent of the cases (24 patients). Presenting complaints, physical examinations, and laboratory analysis did not prove helpful in establishing the diagnosis. The incidence of acute appendicitis during pregnancy was 1:4172 (birth/pregnancy). Rapid surgical intervention probably contributed to the low (25%) incidence of perforated appendices. A transverse incision and general anesthesia were preferred. There was no maternal mortality and a 2 per cent rate of fetal loss.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

Cloning of Shiga-like toxin structural genes from a toxin converting phage of Escherichia coli.

The genes controlling high-level production of Shiga-like toxin (SLT) in Escherichia coli were cloned from the SLT converting phage 933J. This phage was isolated from a strain of E. coli that caused a foodborne outbreak of hemorrhagic colitis. The genes that convert normal E. coli to organisms producing high levels of toxin were cloned into the plasmid pBR328 and expressed in E. coli HB101. DNA restriction mapping, subcloning, examination of the cloned gene products by minicell analysis, neutralization, and immunoprecipitation with antibodies to SLT were used to localize the toxin converting genes and identify them as structural genes for SLT. Southern hybridization studies established that the DNA fragment carrying the cloned toxin structural genes had homology with the DNA of Shigella.

Animals↗

Review of gunshot wounds in Dayton, Ohio. Demographics, anatomic areas, results, and costs.

A retrospective review of 210 admissions for gunshot wounds was performed to evaluate the frequency that various anatomic areas were injured, complication rates, results of treatment, and costs. Seventy-two percent of patients had a single anatomic site involved. The complication rate was 13% and the death rate was 10.9%. A good result was obtained in 72%, but 12.4% had long-term disabilities. The average length of stay was 11 days with an average cost of +5,682 per patient. Application of today's prospective payment under diagnosis-related groups suggests this system of payment may adversely affect the delivery of trauma care in this country.

Adolescent↗

Surgical aspects of the Tenckhoff peritoneal dialysis catheter. A 7 year experience.

The experience with CAPD using the Tenckhoff catheter in 115 patients over a 7 year period has been reviewed. The general indications for CAPD in the patient with chronic renal failure are the mental and physical ability of the patient or his relatives to perform CAPD. In our series, diabetes mellitus has been a relative indication for CAPD, because diabetic patients often have vascular disease severe enough to make long-term hemodialysis difficult. The general contraindications are abdominal problems such as hernias, abdominal wall infections, inflammatory bowel disease, adhesions, and gastrointestinal stomas. Other contraindications are lumbar disk disease and respiratory insufficiency. The surgical principles of catheter insertion have been described. Complications associated with the Tenckhoff catheter were either mechanical (intraabdominal organ injury, incisional hernia, catheter leakage, catheter occlusion, or catheter dislodgement), or infectious (peritonitis or abdominal wall infection). The single most common organism isolated from effluent dialysate in 65 patients with peritonitis was Staphylococcus epidermidis in six patients (9.2 percent), and in 20 patients (30.8 percent), no organism could be isolated. For those patients who had peritonitis, the average frequency was at 8.9 months of CAPD. There were only three deaths (3 percent) directly related to the Tenckhoff catheter and these were due to peritonitis and sepsis. Only 22 (19 percent) of the 115 patients in this series had to discontinue CAPD because of its ineffectiveness or the patient's or relative's inability to perform CAPD.

Abdominal Muscles↗

Shiga-like toxin-converting phages from Escherichia coli strains that cause hemorrhagic colitis or infantile diarrhea.

Escherichia coli K-12 acquired the ability to produce a high titer of Shiga-like toxin after lysogenization by either of two different bacteriophages isolated from a highly toxinogenic Escherichia coli O157:H7 strain that causes hemorrhagic colitis. One of these phages and another Shiga-like toxin-converting phage from an Escherichia coli O26 isolate associated with infantile diarrhea were closely related in terms of morphology, virion polypeptides, DNA restriction fragments, lysogenic immunity, and heat stability, although a difference in host range was noted. These phages are currently the best-characterized representatives from a broader family of Shiga-like toxin-converting phages.

Animals↗

Traumatic cholecystectomy.

Injury to the gallbladder following blunt abdominal trauma is an unusual finding at laparotomy, with a reported incidence of less than 2%. Avulsion from the liver and detachment from both the cystic duct and artery is an extremely rare finding. The condition of the patient and the extent of injuries will dictate the procedure performed. In the case presented, total avulsion of the gallbladder was successfully treated with identification and ligation of the cystic duct, and coagulation of small bleeding points, followed by placement of a Penrose drain.

Abdominal Injuries↗