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Biomedical subjects

W Y Ip

Publications and source records attributed to W Y Ip.

36 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Brachial plexus infusion of ropivacaine with patient-controlled supplementation.

PURPOSE: To report the use of continuous brachial plexus analgesia to facilitate physiotherapy CLINICAL FEATURES: A 34-yr-old man had contractures of the fingers of his dominant hand following a crush injury in 1996. After several operations, he continued to experience severe pain and disability. In order to facilitate painfree active and passive physiotherapy, we performed an axillary brachial plexus block. After insertion of a brachial plexus catheter via the axilla, analgesia was continued for a period of one week using a 3 mlxhr(-1) background infusion of ropivacaine 0.2% with the facility for additional patient-controlled 1 ml boluses. Both active and passive physiotherapy was carried out daily for the entire week. CONCLUSION: This technique was successful with no major complications and resulted in a marked reduction in pain, with improved range of finger movement and general upper limb function.

Adult↗

Metadiaphyseal chondroblastoma of the thumb.

Chondroblastoma is typically located in the epiphysis. Predominant metadiaphyseal location is very rare, as is involvement of the digits. We describe a case of chondroblastoma involving the metadiaphysis of the thumb. The patient was a 13-year-old boy who presented with pain and swelling of his left thumb. Radiographs showed an expanded lytic lesion involving the whole metaphysis and diaphysis of the proximal phalanx, which subsequently progressed to involve the epiphysis. Curettage and bone grafting were done.

Adolescent↗

Disposition towards critical thinking: a study of Chinese undergraduate nursing students.

The purpose of this study was to explore empirically whether undergraduate nursing students at a selected university in Hong Kong display a disposition towards critical thinking. The California Critical Thinking Dispositions Inventory (CCTDI) was used to measure the key theoretical aspects of the overall dispositional dimension of critical thinking. A cross-sectional descriptive design was used to examine 122 Chinese students who were completing their 1st, 2nd and 3rd year of a university baccalaureate nursing programme. In the majority of sub-scales of CCTDI, students showed a negative disposition towards critical thinking. A one-way ANOVA indicated that year 3 students scored significantly lower than their junior counterparts (P < 0. 001). Pearson product moment correlation coefficient yielded a significant positive relationship between critical thinking dispositions and term grade point average (P < 0.05). Consistent with the findings of western studies, the students scored lowest on the truth-seeking sub-scale and highest on the inquisitiveness. Discussion of the findings with regard to nursing education, curriculum and research is delineated.

Adult↗

Relationships between partner's support during labour and maternal outcomes.

The objective of this study was to measure the relationship between women's ratings of partners' participation during labour and maternal outcomes as measured by anxiety level, pain perception, dosage of pain-relieving drug used and length of labour. A convenience sample of 45 primigravid women was selected from the postpartum unit of a public hospital in Hong Kong. They were all first-time Chinese mothers, aged 18 or over, who had attended antenatal classes and had their partners present during labour. The State Scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was used to measure maternal anxiety during labour. Labour pain was measured by the Visual Analogue Scale. A series of scales were developed to measure partners' participation during labour. Women's ratings of partners' practical support were significantly lower than their ratings of partners' emotional support. There were no significant associations between level of emotional support and maternal outcome measures. However, perceived practical support was positively related to the dosage of pain-relieving drug used and total length of labour. Positive relationships between the duration of partners' presence and women's ratings of perceived support provided by partners during labour were also found.

Adult↗

Chinese husbands' presence during labour: a preliminary study in Hong Kong.

This study compares the childbirth outcomes of women whose husbands were present during labour with those whose husbands were absent. A retrospective comparative design was used. Sixty-three Hong Kong Chinese primigravid mothers recruited from childbirth education classes were allocated to one of two groups: those whose husband attended labour (n = 45) and those whose husband was not in attendance (n = 18). Details of demographic characteristics, maternal history and antenatal attendance were obtained along with obstetric measures of maternal anxiety, pain perception, dosage of analgesia used, and length of labour. The results indicated that women whose husbands were present during labour used significantly higher dosage of analgesia than those whose husbands were absent. No significant differences were found between groups in other outcome measures. The researcher concluded that nurse-midwives in Hong Kong need to find ways to help husbands provide the type of support that may help their partners during labour.

Adult↗

Biomechanical properties of thin skin flap after basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) administration.

This study is designed to examine the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) administration on the biomechanical properties of thin skin flap healing. A total of 42 rats were used in this study, and skin flaps 10 cm long by 3 cm wide were raised in 28 rats. One injection of bFGF was applied at three different times (immediately postoperatively, and 24 h and 48 h postoperatively) between the flap and wound bed of 14 rats (the bFGF treated group), while the other 14 rats with flaps had the same tissue culture medium treatment but without bFGF (the untreated group). The remaining 14 rats without flaps constituted the control group (normal group). The rats were killed 10 days postoperatively, and 1. 0 cm x 6.0 cm sections of the skin flap taken for mechanical and histological testing. The load, deformation and tensile strength at failure were recorded. The average flap survival area in the bFGF treated group was 27 cm(2), significantly higher (P< 0.001) than that seen in the untreated group. The average elastic stiffness of the skin flap in the bFGF treated group was also observed to be higher than in the untreated group although this difference was not significant. The mean tensile strength of the bFGF treated group (61 N) was significantly higher than the untreated group (38 N, P< 0.01) however. Despite this, the tensile strengths at failure of both of these groups were found to be significantly lower than that of normal skin (101 N, P< 0.01). A relaxation in load of about 8% was seen in specimens from the normal group and the bFGF treated group, while the untreated group showed a relaxation of about 15%.

Animals↗

Adhesion formation after nerve repair: an experimental study of early protected mobilization in the rabbit.

The common peroneal nerve and its surrounding muscles were cut and repaired in 14 rabbits. The injured limb was then either immobilized for 3 weeks or passively mobilized within a "safety range" every day. At 3 weeks after operation, the "stretch test" and "peel test" showed no difference in the biomechanical features of the adhesions between the nerve repair and the surrounding soft tissues.

Animals↗

Diagnosis of dorsal interosseous pseudotumours by magnetic resonance imaging.

Two middle-aged-patients each presenting with a progressively enlarging mass in the first dorsal web space of their hands are reported. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated the cause to be a hypertrophic first dorsal interosseous muscle, with normal T1, T2 and post-gadopentetate dimeglumine signal characteristics. The ability of MRI to diagnose anatomical variants of hand muscles is important in the clinical management of patients with these pseudotumours.

Adult↗

Intramedullary fixation by resorbable rods in a comminuted phalangeal fracture model. A biomechanical study.

The mechanical rigidity of three different methods of resorbable intramedullary fixation (bone peg, and polyglycolide rods with and without interlocking) was assessed in a comminuted phalangeal fracture model and the results compared with two commonly used internal fixation devices (lateral plate, crossed K-wires) in a cadaver model. Each fixation technique was tested for its biomechanical strength in apex palmar bending, compression and torsion. Failure testing for the three resorbable methods was also done. The results showed that lateral plating provided the best rigidity in apex palmar bending and torsion, followed by intramedullary bone peg fixation. All resorbable intramedullary fixations had rigidity that was at least the same as crossed K-wires. For the torque test, polyglycolide rods with interlocking provided better rigidity than without interlocking. There was no significant difference between the different methods in the compression test, except that the intramedullary bone peg was significantly stiffer than K-wires.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

Biomechanical properties of absorbable implants in finger fractures.

The mechanical rigidity of five different methods of pin fixation in two proximal phalangeal fracture models was studied and absorbable implants were compared with metallic implants in a biomechanical cadaver study. Thirty phalanges were tested in apex palmar bending, compression and torsion. Results showed that rigidity of absorbable implants was comparable with metallic implants, except in torsion.

Biocompatible Materials↗

The combined use of flaps based on the subscapular vascular system for limb reconstruction.

The combined use of flaps based on the subscapular vascular system for limb reconstructions has been infrequently reported. Such combinations have mainly been used for mandibular and facial reconstructions. We have used these flaps as free flaps for lower limb reconstructions in 7 patients, in 6 cases after trauma and in one after infection. A latissimus dorsi muscle or musculocutaneous flap and serratus anterior muscle flap were used together in 4 cases, and a latissimus dorsi muscle flap and parascapular flap in 3 cases. All cases healed satisfactorily. The indications for the combined use of these flaps are to resurface two separate defects simultaneously or to resurface very large defects. The anatomy of the subscapular vascular system allows the combined use of two or more flaps. It has the advantage of requiring anastomosis of one vascular pedicle only. Such combined flaps are particularly suitable for resurfacing defects wider than their length in relation to the long axis of the limb.

Adult↗

Results of dynamic splintage following extensor tendon repair.

We report a prospective study of dynamic splintage following extensor tendon repair. Eighty-four patients with 101 extensor tendon injuries were studied. Using Dargan's evaluation system, there were 97% excellent results for the thumb and 93% excellent and good results for the fingers. The average total active motions were 107 degrees for thumbs and 245 degrees for fingers. Over 80% of patients regained good power grip. Patients with associated digital fractures or with ragged lacerations had poorer results. Overall, we found that dynamic splintage was a satisfactory method after extensor repair.

Finger Injuries↗

Treatment of displaced intra-articular fractures of the distal end of the radius with plates.

Thirty-four displaced intra-articular fractures of the distal aspect of the radius in thirty-four patients were treated with open reduction and internal fixation with plates and screws. Although there was a high rate of complications (nine [26 per cent] of thirty-four fractures), twenty-eight patients (82 per cent) had a good or excellent result according to the system of Gartland and Werley and twenty patients (59 per cent) had a good or excellent result according to the modified system of Green and O'Brien at the most recent evaluation. Immediately postoperatively, the articular surface of the distal aspect of the radius was restored to a mean of 2 degrees of volar tilt and 20 degrees of radial angulation and radial length was improved by a mean of ten millimeters compared with the preoperative length. The articular surface was restored to congruity or to at most one millimeter of step-off in twenty-six patients (76 per cent). By the time of the most recent evaluation, the initial postoperative alignment had changed markedly in three patients (9 per cent) and degenerative osteoarthrosis (grade II or III) had developed in six patients (18 per cent). We considered that the initial postoperative alignment had changed markedly when the articular surface was displaced by two millimeters or more, when the extra-articular alignment had changed by more than 10 degrees of radial tilt, or when there was more than five millimeters of radial shortening. The potential for restoration of normal alignment and the stability of the fixation are the main advantages of internal fixation with plates. Restoration of congruity to the joint was the major difficulty in this group of patients.

Adolescent↗

Bilateral Kienbock's disease in SLE.

Kienbock's disease, or radiologic avascular necrosis (AVN) of the carpal lunate, is an uncommon disease of young adults. The precise etiological mechanisms are uncertain although multiple mechanical, anatomical, and vascular factors are thought to be involved. A patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who developed bilateral Kienbock's disease during the course of her illness was reported. A vasculopathy related to active vasculitis or the antiphospholipid antibodies was thought to be responsible.

Adult↗

A prospective study of 924 digital fractures of the hand.

A prospective study of 1129 patients with 1358 digital fractures of the hand was carried out between March 1984 and March 1994; of these, 924 fulfilled the criteria for inclusion. Functionally stable fractures with acceptable alignment were managed with immediate active mobilization. Unstable fractures, or fractures with unacceptable alignment, were openly reduced and fixed internally so that active mobilization could begin immediately after operation. The function results using various systems of evaluation were excellent or good in over 90 per cent of the fractured thumbs, and excellent or good in 58.7 per cent to 76.5 per cent of the fingers. Patients who did not require surgery did much better than those in the operated group. Comminuted, open and multiple fractures proved to be of poor prognostic value. However, rigid fixation was statistically significant in influencing the outcome.

Female↗

External fixation for comminuted phalangeal fractures. A biomechanical cadaver study.

The mechanical rigidity obtained by external fixation in a comminuted phalangeal fracture model was assessed and the results compared with two other types of internal fixation commonly used (lateral plate and crossed Kirschner wires) in a biomechanical cadaver study. Each fixation technique was tested in apex palmar bending, compression and torsion. The results showed that lateral plating provided the best rigidity in apex palmar bending and compression and that external fixation and Kirschner wires showed the same mechanical properties. For the torque test, external fixation provided the best rigidity.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

Fixation for comminuted phalangeal fractures. A biomechanical study of five methods.

The rigidities of five fixation methods have been studied with a comminuted phalangeal fracture model. Mechanical testing of compression, bending and torsion were performed for each fixation. Lateral plating with six screws seems to provide the most rigid fixation. If such lateral plating is not practicable, the four-Kirschner wire method would be a satisfactory alternative.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

Open reduction and plate fixation of displaced AO type C3 fractures of the distal radius: restoration of articular congruity in eighteen cases.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the ability of open reduction and plate fixation to restore articular congruity in the treatment of fractures of the distal radius with intraarticular comminution and displacement. DESIGN: Prospectively followed series. METHODS: Eighteen consecutive fractures of the distal radius with intraarticular comminution and displacement were treated with open reduction and combined volar and dorsal plate fixation in thirteen, dorsal plate fixation in four, and volar plate fixation in one case. Kirschner wires were added in thirteen fractures and cancellous bone graft was used in four fractures. Articular congruity after a mean follow-up of twenty-three months was assessed using anteroposterior and lateral radiographs. RESULTS: Articular congruity without a two millimeter or more intraarticular stepoff was found at follow-up in fifteen of eighteen cases, without a two millimeter or more gap in nine cases and without a two millimeter or more stepoff or gap in only eight cases. One reason for not having obtained articular congruity in some of the fractures was insufficient intraoperative visualization of the joint surface. Three reduced fractures redisplaced. The reason for loss of intraarticular reduction was considered insufficient stabilization of the distal fragments. In two of the three cases, it was thought that insertion of bone graft would have prevented the loss of reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Articular incongruity after open reduction and plate fixation of comminuted fractures of the distal radius may occur more often than expected. The reduced fracture should be evaluated by intraoperative radiographs. If the reduced joint surface is not entirely visible on the radiographs because of implants or other reasons, oblique radiographs or fluoroscopy should be additionally used. Plate fixation alone does not always provide sufficient stability and cancellous bone graft should be added in cases of metaphyseal bone loss or for stabilization of multiple small articular fragments that cannot be fixed by screws or Kirschner wires.

Adult↗