Maternal Tetanus at the University College Hospital in Ibadan Nigeria: A 15-Year Retrospective Analysis

Objective To determine the characteristics of women with maternal tetanus, pattern of presentation and outcome of management. Methods A total of 19 women were managed with maternal tetanus between 1990 and 2005 from the University College Hospital in Ibadan Nigeria. A retrospective study was performed. The medical records of all women managed as a case of maternal tetanus were retrieved from the central record department of the hospital. The pattern of presentation, characteristics of women, the duration of hospital admission, tetanus toxoid immunization, and outcome of care were measured. Results The records of 18 women managed were analyzed. The mean age at presentation was 25.2 ±5.3 years. The patients were mostly single, nulliparous and had primary school education. The maternal tetanus cases seen mainly complicated induced abortion while 5 and 2 other cases were due to childbirth complication and leg wound respectively. The portal of entry of the remaining 3 cases could not be ascertained. None of the patient managed had complete immunization schedule. The average duration of admission was 11.2 ± 6. 7 d. Five women had intensive care with 3 of them requiring ventilatory support. The case fatality rate was 66. 7%. The only factor that significantly improved survival was presence of generalized spasm at presentation （P=0.006） Conclusion The occurrence of maternal tetanus is a reflection of low quality of health care delivery and lack or inefficient routine immunization coverage in any community.     

Zur konservativen Therapie der Unterarmfraktur im Wachstumsalter mit besonderer Berücksichtigung der Korrelation von röntgenologischem Verlauf,objektivem und subjektivem Gesamtergebnis

143 out of 310 patients in the age of one to 18 years suffering from forearm-shaft-fractures could be followed up at the 2nd Department of Traumatology University of Vienna, out of a period between 1978 and 1983. A correlation between radiologic follow-ups and objective/subjective findings was achived by means of the WAMASTAT/SAS program at the Institute of Medical Computer Sciences. With the aid of computer diagrams of the angulation of fracture-dislocation awaited restrictions of movement can be anticipated. Corrective reductions performed in time can prevent disalignment and improve long-term follow-up results.     

Hüfttumorprothese-Indikation in einem unfallchirurgischen Schwerpunktkrankenhaus und Ergebnisse

This is a report about six cases of replacement of the proximal femur by a cementless special prosthesis in modular system done in the Unfallkrankenhaus Wien-Meidling. One of the patients suffered by a lymphoma, three others had fractures caused by bone metastasis. One was a pertrochanteric fracture complicated by osteoporosis, and finally one fracture of the femur preceded by an insufficient implantation of a semitotal hip replacement. The hipsocket was supplied four times by a cementfree Polyäthylensocket, in one case a CLW-ring was implanted. Investigation showed that after a little more than two months the stump of femur became porous and by an average of eleven months the prosthesis was covered by bone. The complications were in one case an incomplete fracture of the diaphysis and in another case a luxation for three times. There are several indications for a tumor prosthesis: 1. Primary and secondary malignant tumors. 2. Bone metastasis with or without fractures. 3. Comminuted fractures complicated by various factors, e. g. osteoporosis. 4. Loosening of prosthesis with poor bone conditions or failed implantation of a standard prosthesis. Although the successes seem to be quite promisingly, this method should be applied in a quite differentiated way, as any retreat is nearly impossible, once started.     

Überlegungen zum Kongreß “Medikamentöse Schmerztherapie” in Berlin

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Cytokines and immuno-endocrine factors in recurrent miscarriage

Recurrent miscarriage remains an enigma. The main aetiologiesare endocrinological, immunological and unexplained. With thegrowth in molecular biology, it is now possible to look at theeffect of these aetiologies in more detail, allowing greaterunderstanding of the underlying pathogenesis. Keywords: cytokines/recurrent miscarriage