Model of normal prepubertal growth

Overheating may cause terminal apnoea and cot death. Rectal temperature and breathing patterns were examined in normal infants at home during the first 6 months of life. Twenty one infants had continuous overnight rectal temperature and breathing recordings for 429 nights (mean 20.4 nights, range 7-30) spaced over the first six months of life. Periods when breathing was 'regular' were directly marked on single night records. Sleep state was determined from respiratory variables. 'Regular' breathing was a reliable marker of 'quiet' sleep (specificity 93%). The duration of 'quiet' sleep increased from 6 to 22 minutes from two weeks to three months of age and then remained static, as did the proportion of sleep spent in the quiet phase (9% to 34%). Rectal temperature fell during 66% of quiet sleep and usually rose during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. The drop in rectal temperature was maximal at the start of quiet sleep, whereas the maximum rise during REM sleep was reached after 10 to 15 minutes. Oscillations in rectal temperature are associated with changes in sleep and breathing state. The maturation of rectal temperature patterns during the first six months of life are closely related to a maturation of sleep state and breathing patterns.     

Nasal dermoids: the significance of a midline punctum

Nasal dermoids are rare and their diagnosis is often delayed until complications occur. Signs such as a midline nasal punctum may be noted at birth but the significance of this finding frequently passes unrecognised. The cases are reported of two patients which illustrate the typical presentation of these lesions and their subsequent management is discussed.     

Low grade fibromyxoid sarcoma of the falciform ligament: a case report

Background  

Low grade fibromyxoid sarcomas (LGFMS) are very rarely seen. They commonly arise from deep soft tissues of the lower extremities. Very few cases of intra-abdominal location have been reported.     

PATIENT SATISFACTION IN PROSTHETIC REHABILITATION PROGRAMME

Patient satisfaction is an important outcome measure independent of other outcomes. Its measurement is important to assess the effectiveness of a programme and to gain insight into the patients'' perception of the programme. In this study conducted in a large rehabilitation centre it was found that majority of patients express satisfaction with care inspite of perceived discomfort. Various demographic factors, severity or duration of the disability or the level of rehabilitation do not influence patient satisfaction. Patients express more concern with aspects such as delay in issue of the prosthesis, or hotel component of the hospital services. Patients did not appear too concerned about the level of information provided. Patient satisfaction is an individual reaction to the overall care process and is influenced by the initial expectation level of the patient. Emotional response of the patient appears to be more important determinant of patient satisfaction than the cognitive evaluation. Periodical assessment of patient satisfaction should be an important component of any programme evaluation exercise.KEY WORDS: Amputation, Patient satisfaction, Programme evaluation, Prosthesis, Quality of care, Rehabilitation     

ENDOTHELIAL CELL CULTURE AND SEEDING OF PROSTHETIC VASCULAR GRAFTS: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Current synthetic vascular prostheses do not acquire lining of vascular endothelium in humans or dogs. Endothelial seeding of vascular grafts has been proposed as a means of reducing the thrombogenicity of these grafts. We examined feasibility of cultivating endothelial cells (EC) by tissue culture technique and their subsequent seeding onto small diameter polytetra fluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts. Twenty adult dogs underwent common carotid artery interposition with 4 mm PTFE grafts. Ten dogs received seeded and the remaining ten received unseeded grafts. Grafts were removed at 4 and 12 weeks and their gross/morphological features compared. Cumulative patency rates for seeded grafts were 70% as compared to unseeded ones 30%. Seeded grafts were completely surfaced with a mono-layer of endothelium by 4 weeks. Small graft patency appears to be related to the establishment of an endothelial surface, the development of which is clearly facilitated by seeding with autogenous endothelium.KEY WORDS: Endothelial cell seeding, Vascular grafts     

Pneumothorax preceding pulmonary blastoma in a child

Serial plain radiographic, ultrasound and CT findings of an unusual case of pulmonary blastoma are described with a review of the literature.     

Retrospective Study on Efficacy of Intermaxillary Fixation Screws

Background

We evaluated the efficacy of intermaxillary fixation (IMF) screws in the treatment of mandibular fractures.

Methods

Two hundred patients with mandibular fractures, treated by IMF using these screws, were evaluated by pre and postoperative panoramic radiographs. Clinical testing was carried out for vitality and abnormal mobility of teeth adjacent to the site of screw insertions. Other factors such as possible iatrogenic dental injuries, loss, breakage or screw cover by oral mucosa and postoperative occlusion were also studied.

Result

The most important complication noticed was iatrogenic damage to dental roots.

Conclusion

Use of intraoral cortical bone screws for IMF is a valid alternative to arch bars in the treatment of mandibular fractures. Iatrogenic injury to dental roots is the commonest problem which can be minimized by an experienced surgeon.Key Words: Intermaxillary fixation, Bone screws, Mandibular fractures, Iatrogenic injury