Area variation of avoidable causes of death in Auckland, 1977-85

An area analysis is presented of deaths in Auckland that were ostensibly avoidable, by appropriate medical intervention and treatment. Mortality data from the National Health Statistics Centre for the period 1977-85 were used in the analysis. The definition of an avoidable death was based on the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code using established criteria. Eight percent of deaths of people under 65 years of age met the criteria. The basic spatial entity for the analysis is the census area unit and maps of Auckland are presented to show the distribution of avoidable mortality. It is found that there are significant and consistent spatial variations. Three areas with avoidable mortality that is generally higher than elsewhere are apparent: in south Auckland; to the north-west of the central urban sector centered on Grey Lynn; and in the eastern parts of the central sector from Glenn Innes to Onehunga.     

Idiopathic flexible flatfoot in the adolescent

In summary, factors to consider in treatment are (1) the patient's age; (2) the flexibility of the condition; (3) the severity of deformity; (4) the presence of equinus; (5) abnormal shoe wear; and (6) the symptoms. When a child presents with severe flexible flatfoot one should rule out an underlying neuromuscular disorder and perform a complete biomechanical evaluation to ascertain any rotational or angular conditions of the legs that might influence the treatment. If a child is in group 1 (ages 4 to 7), a Helfet heel seat with a medial plantar wedge is usually adequate treatment. In the group II (ages 8 to 12) adolescent with flexible flatfoot, more control of the calcaneal eversion is needed. This is obtained by using a device constructed from a plaster mold taken while the foot is in neutral position. This UCBL type of device must usually extend to the metatarsal heads and be elevated on the medial and lateral sides. The group III (ages 13 to 17) adolescent usually has the additional problem of a forefoot varus, which must be controlled using a forefoot post. It is also not unusual to have to add additional wedging inside the heel of the shoe to invert the heel.     

Unicanalicular stent for nasolacrimal duct obstruction

The authors describe a method for silicone intubation of a single patent canaliculus associated with a nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Although bicanalicular intubation is always preferable when possible, unicanalicular stenting is necessary when only one canaliculus is patent. A chief advantage of this technique is that the lacrimal stent is inaccessible to the child and thus cannot be accidentally pulled out.     

Keratography as a guide to selective suture removal for the reduction of astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty

After penetrating keratoplasty in 52 eyes, keratography refraction and keratometry were used to select appropriate interrupted sutures for removal in order to reduce astigmatism. All eyes had one continuous and either 12 or 16 interrupted nylon sutures. The keratographs were examined retrospectively and separated into six groups on the basis of similar mire patterns. The removal of single sutures associated with three of these patterns reduced astigmatism by the following average amounts: symmetrical oval pattern, 0.44 diopters (D); D-shaped oval pattern, 2.07 D; and focal indentation pattern, 6.60 D. The other three patterns--mildly disrupted mires, incomplete mires, and uninterpretable mires--did not allow quantification of results. Examples of these keratographic patterns are presented and recommendations are made for their use in the management of astigmatism following penetrating keratoplasty.     

Pathologic findings after recession and resection of extraocular muscles in rabbits

A study on the pathologic findings after recession and resection of extraocular muscles in rabbits was performed. Fibrosis of the extraocular muscles increased with time, which showed no difference between the recessed and resected muscles. Inflammation and foreign body reaction decreased with time, which showed no difference between the recessed and resected muscles. Adhesions of extraocular muscles to the sclera were observed from one month after the operation. The resected muscles showed milder adhesion to the sclera than the recessed ones. The operated extraocular muscles showed atrophies at one month, which showed no difference between the recessed and resected muscles. According to our results, when reoperation is needed, fibrosis of the extraocular muscles after recession and resection should be considered when making a decision on the amount of muscle to be recessed and resected.     

Synthesis and teratogenic action of n-hydroxythalidomide

N-Hydroxythalidomide (1d), a potential metabolite of thalidomide (1a), was synthesized from N-phthalyglutaminic acid anhydride (1b) and O-tetrahydropyraline hydroxylamine, followed by deprotection. The teratogenicity of 1d was studied using the Hen's-Egg-Test model which had been found applicable for 1a. 1d was more teratogenic to chicken embryos compared to 1a. The percentage of teratogenic malformations in the 1d groups was 28-46%, whereas the percentage in the 1a groups was 20-23%. The oxygen protected precursor N-hydroxythalidomide (1c) was less teratogenic (11-15%).     

5-Piperazinylalkyl-2(3H)-oxazolones with neuroleptic activity

A series of new 4-aryl-5-[omega-(4-aryl-1-piperazinyl)alkyl]-2(3H)- oxazolones was synthesized and tested for neuroleptic activity in mice and rats. Several compounds exhibited interesting neuroleptic activity with very low liability to the extrapyramidal side effects. In particular the activity of 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[2-[4-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-1- piperazinyl]ethyl]-2(3H)-oxazolone (14) was greater than that of butropipazone and fluanisone, while of the same order of that of chlorpromazine; however, the product showed a longer lasting activity and minor ability to produce catalepsy as compared with the reference drugs.     

Mycobacterium ulcerans infection in Ashanti region, Ghana

We describe a series of 96 cases of Mycobacterium ulcerans infection (Buruli ulcer) from a new endemic focus in the Afram valley, north of Agogo, in Ghana. 63 cases were children under 13 years old. Active treatment by excision and skin grafting necessitates long stays in hospital and repeated procedures. Scarring and contracture are frequent. Eyes and other vital organs may be destroyed. In its endemic foci Buruli ulcer is a serious health burden on rural populations. Research is urgently needed, especially in prevention and non-surgical management.