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Biomedical subjects

S T Irwin

Publications and source records attributed to S T Irwin.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Irradiated polyglactin 910: a new synthetic absorbable suture.

Two hundred and thirty-six patients had a variety of skin and mucosal wounds sutured with a new rapidly absorbed suture material (irradiated polyglactin 910). No wound complications could be attributed to the material. These included 62 patients with scalp wounds, taking part in a comparative trial with traditional interrupted, monofilament, non-absorbable suturing. No difference in the cosmetic result could be detected three months later. The irradiated polyglactin disappeared from the wound surface spontaneously and suture removal was not normally required. Irradiated polyglactin 910 is suitable for closure of wounds where rapid suture absorption is desirable, particularly for wounds in the scalp, scrotum, and perineum and is an ideal material for mucocutaneous anastomosis at stoma surgery. Loss of suture strength is so rapid that suture removal is unnecessary, eliminating the need for further medical or paramedical care. As absorption is by hydrolysis rather than enzymatic digestion, stitch abscesses are not seen.

Humans↗
PubMed1994

Malignant obstruction of the left colon.

The management of malignant obstruction of the colon distal to the splenic flexure is controversial. The 'traditional' three-stage procedure is marred by frequent failure to complete the planned sequence of operations and a resulting high permanent stoma rate. At each stage the mortality rate (7 per cent) and morbidity rate (30 per cent) are significant. The mortality rate following primary resection with delayed anastomosis (Hartmann's procedure) is 10 per cent. However, many patients experience complications and only 60 per cent have the stoma reversed. Primary anastomosis may be performed after subtotal or segmental colonic resection. The reported mortality rate is about 10 per cent with anastomotic leakage in 4-6 per cent, but cases are often carefully selected. It is difficult to suggest clear guidelines based on existing data. Although there are strong arguments in favour of a single-stage procedure, surgeons must decide whether available resources and local circumstances permit this. The alternative is Hartmann's procedure or referral to a surgeon with an interest in emergency colorectal surgery.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMed1994

Herniography for occult hernia and groin pain.

In a prospective 3-year study herniography was used to assess patients with unexplained groin pain in whom clinical signs were inconclusive. Fifty-two patients were studied. No serious complications were observed. Twenty-two hernias were identified in 18 patients. The positive herniographic findings were confirmed at operation in 12 patients. Of 34 patients with a negative herniogram, none has developed a hernia. Pain settled spontaneously in 29 patients and five were referred to a pain clinic for further management.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

The surgical management of familial adenomatous polyposis in Northern Ireland.

Sixty-eight patients from 18 families have been identified as having familial adenomatous polyposis during the past 30 years in Northern Ireland (population 1.5 million). Six of the 18 probands (33%) had developed colonic carcinoma when first seen at mean age 34 years. Ten of the 44 patients identified by surgical screening (21%) at a significantly lower mean age of 23 years had colonic carcinoma. Surgical management has generally been by subtotal colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis, or by panproctocolectomy and ileostomy.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗
PubMed1991

Surgical training posts in Northern Ireland: assessment by surgeons in training.

Northern Ireland has one of the largest surgical training programmes in the United Kingdom. The surgical trainees' assessment of the quality of training provided has been collated prospectively since 1983, and provides a useful insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the programme, as well as the training value of individual posts. The overall quality of clinical training in surgery was considered to be well above average, but some registrars felt that supervision of operative surgery could be improved. Clinical research was considered to be of average quality in the teaching hospitals but below average in district general hospitals. In the current climate of restriction of the number of training posts in general surgery, the views of the trainees should not be neglected in assessing which posts are best suited for training.

Education, Medical, Continuing↗
PubMed1990

Single layer anastomosis in the upper gastrointestinal tract.

A total of 466 single layer upper gastrointestinal anastomoses were made in 349 patients during an 11-year period. Six (1.3 per cent) anastomoses leaked. Radiological leakage was seen in one of 24 (4.2 per cent) oesophagogastric/jejunal anastomoses. There were no leaks after 66 gastrojejunal anastomoses; one of 84 (1.2 per cent) gastroduodenal anastomoses leaked and was converted to a gastrojejunal anastomosis. Two of 121 (1.7 per cent) biliary-enteric anastomoses leaked and both were successfully managed without reoperation. Two of 171 (1.2 per cent) enteroenteric anastomoses leaked, both in patients with established intraperitoneal sepsis which proved fatal. Of the 349 patients, 13 (3.7 per cent) died in hospital or within 30 days of operation but in only two was anastomotic leakage implicated. Single layer appositional upper gastrointestinal anastomoses are simple, safe and economic.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMed1990

Post-operative sputum retention treated by minitracheostomy--a ward procedure?

Cricothyroidotomy, using the percutaneous 'minitracheotomy' technique, was performed in 67 patients (55 for sputum retention, two for endobronchial rupture of an empyema, 10 prophylactically). In two patients the cricothyroid membrane was penetrated with considerable difficulty, and in one further patient insertion was not possible due to calcification of the cricothyroid membrane. One patient required exploration of the insertion site because of bleeding. Two patients inhaled the 'Mark 1 Minitrach' device and required urgent bronchoscopic removal. In those patients undergoing successful cricothyroidotomy, there was a dramatic improvement in respiratory distress. There were no deaths related to the insertion of the minitracheotomy device in this series.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Clinical and pathological variability of infection by enterohaemorrhagic (Vero cytotoxin producing) Escherichia coli.

The clinical and pathological features of five sporadic cases of enteric infection caused by Escherichia coli O157 (enterohaemorrhagic or Vero cytotoxin-producing E coli showed a range of features. These included one case with pseudomembranous colitis, one with an acute exacerbation of ulcerative colitis, and three with enterocolitis. Diagnostic difficulties encountered initially in four of the five cases were finally resolved by correlating the results of microbiological with histopathological investigations. In view of the heterogeneity of clinical and histological signs and symptoms, it is concluded that all patients with abdominal pain and diarrhoea or rectal bleeding should have early microbiological investigation.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Preventing wound infection after appendicectomy: a review.

An exponential increase in the number of published prospective studies reflects both a continuing interest in, and a lack of consensus on, the optimal prophylaxis of wound sepsis after appendicectomy. Review of the literature over the last 25 years leads us to emphasize both the importance of adequate study size and of stratification of the severity of the sepsis found at operation. For critical comparison of prophylactic regimens the high percentage of wound infections disclosed after discharge from hospital must be taken into account. Antibiotics reduce the frequency of wound sepsis and although low wound sepsis rates have been reported with systemic antibiotics active against only anaerobes, the cumulative evidence favours a spectrum of antibacterial activity against both aerobic and anaerobic organisms. Topical antiseptics have no significant effect but topical antibiotics are beneficial. Wide variations in outcome for similar antibiotic regimens reflect the importance of technical factors in determining the frequency of wound sepsis.

Appendectomy↗
PubMed1988

Blood flow in diabetics with foot lesions due to 'small vessel disease'.

Blood flow was measured in the feet and toes of 23 diabetics, 7 controls and 6 non-diabetic neuropathic controls, using venous occlusion plethysmography. All of the diabetics showed a characteristic flow abnormality with mild hyperperfusion of the foot at rest but impaired peak flow following arterial occlusion. When the diabetics were subdivided into those with 'small vessel disease', those with neuropathic ulceration and those with neuropathy but no ulceration, the groups had remarkably comparable blood flows, except that peak great toe blood flow was rather lower in small vessel disease. In small vessel disease, the combination of high resting blood flow and elevated foot venous oxygen saturation suggests that the hyperperfusion is due to arteriovenous shunting. It seems likely that the toe lesions ascribed to small vessel disease were in fact manifestations of severe diabetic neuropathy. The term small vessel disease should be avoided in the context of diabetic foot lesions.

Adult↗