Biosynthetic compound dressings--management of hand burns

To achieve optimal hand function, wound closure becomes the most important ingredient in hand burns. This study documents the use of a biosynthetic compound dressing (Biobrane) which has been fabricated as a glove for management of hand burns. The glove allowed rapid active motion and minimized the pain of open wounds. Forty-two Biobrane glove applications were evaluated with 50 per cent applied over superficial hand burns and 50 per cent over deep partial thickness or full thickness injuries. In the superficial hand burns, the patients were discharged home after a mean time of 2.8 days. With the deep burns the dressing provided a closed wound after early excision of eschar without the use of an autograft or biological dressing. Based on these studies, we conclude that the biosynthetic compound dressing glove is a useful adjunct to be added to the armamentarium for treatment of the burned hand.     

Neuromyopathy in venous insufficiency

Since July, 1985, the authors have studied 23 patients with history and physical findings of venous insufficiency syndrome (VIS) confirmed by venous pressure, muscle biopsy, ascending and descending venography, electromyography, and nerve conduction velocity studies. Clinically, swelling appears to be the most important symptom, along with high venous pressure, particularly ambulatory venous pressure, correlated with venography findings. Muscle atrophy was present in 18 cases. Electromyography and nerve conduction velocity studies yielded abnormal findings in 20 of 23 cases. The authors suggest that nerve conduction velocity and EMG studies could perhaps be used as noninvasive tests for diagnosis and follow-up of cases with VIS.     

Detection of the Human Erythrocyte Surface Antigen Gerbich by Flow Cytometry using Human Antibodies and Phycoerythrin for Extreme Immunofluorescence Sensitivity

Abstract. We used indirect immunofluorescence and flow cytometry to detect the human erythrocyte surface antigen Gerbich. The procedure consisted of sequential erythrocyte-labeling with human antibody to Gerbich, biotinylated goat anti-human IgG and finally phycoerythrin-conjugated streptavidin. With maximal excitation of phycoerythrin at 546 nm, an increase in the fluorescence sensitivity was achieved. All erythrocytes from normal controls had detectable Gerbich antigen with little variation in antigen density between individuals. Six Gerbich-negative patients had no detectable antigen. By diluting the erythrocytes, as few as 0.1% antigen-positive cells in an antigen-negative population could be detected. These studies indicate that flow cytometry is a useful technique for the detection of erythrocyte surface antigens.     

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy was the presenting feature in an otherwise occult case of non-metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the lung which improved on surgical removal of the primary tumour. Reflex sympathetic dystrophy, therefore, should be considered an occasional manifestation of a paraneoplastic syndrome warranting a thorough search for underlying malignancy.     

Postpartum myocardial infarction: a rehabilitation challenge

Myocardial infarction in pregnancy or the puerperium is an uncommon occurrence. Thus, when young pregnant women sustain a myocardial infarction, they present a complex challenge to cardiovascular nurses. Issues such as female gender, young age, and child-bonding must be considered in addition to assisting the recovery from the myocardial infarction itself. This case study describes the rehabilitative nursing care of a young woman who sustained a postpartum myocardial infarction.