Noise characterization of “effective quiet” areas on a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier

The purpose of this investigation was to characterize noise levels in spaces designated as “effective quiet” areas on a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier. Noise dosimetry samples were collected in 15 designated spaces, representing 15 noise measurements, while at-sea during airwing carrier qualifications. Equivalent sound level (L_eq) measurements were collected during flight operations (L_{eq (flt ops)}), non-flight operations (L_{eq (non-flt ops)}), and over 24-hr periods (L_{eq (24-hr)}). These data were compared to the 70 dBA American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH^®) Threshold Limit Value (TLV^®) for “effective quiet” areas intended for temporary threshold shift recovery when personnel live and work in a potentially noise hazardous environment for periods greater than 24?hr. The monitored areas were selected based on personnel occupancy/use during off-duty time periods. Areas were classified by either (1) leisure areas that included mess (eating areas), gyms, lounges, an internet cafe, and the fantail social area or (2) berthing (sleeping) areas. The L_eq measurements in decibels “A” weighted (dBA) were compared to determine significant differences between L_{eq (flt ops)}, L_{eq (non-flt ops)}, and L_{eq (24-hr)} and were compared between leisure area and berthing area. Measured noise levels according to time period ranged as follows: (1) L_{eq (24-hr)}: 70.8–105.4 dBA; (2) L_{eq (flt ops)}: 70–101.2 dBA; and (3) L_{eq (non-flt ops)}: 39.4–104.6 dBA. All area measurements over the 24-hr period and during flight operations and 46.7% of the areas during the non-flight operation time period exceeded the “effective quiet” 70 dBA ACGIH TLV. Mean L_eqs were 15 dBA higher during flight operations compared to non-flight operations in “effective quiet” areas (p?=?0.001). The L_eqs in leisure areas were significantly higher than berthing areas by approximately 21 dBA during non-flight operation periods (p?=?0.001). Results suggest noise levels in “effective quiet” areas frequented by aircraft carrier personnel during off-duty hours when at-sea may inhibit auditory recovery from occupational noise exposures that occur on-duty.     

外科手术切口脂肪液化的诊疗体会

目的 探讨外科手术切口病因及预防措施.方法 回顾分析我科自2001年5月～2005年7月施行大、中手术后发生切口脂肪液化的60例病例.结果 肥胖,术中皮下脂肪层使用电刀,术中切口器械挤压时间长,大块组织钳夹,老年人、糖尿病等可引发切口脂肪液化.结论 手术切口脂肪液病因较多,肥胖、术中使用电刀、器械挤压时间长、老年人糖尿病均为重要影响因素.     

Postoperative pulmonary complication rate and long-term changes in respiratory function following esophagectomy with esophagogastrostomy

Upper abdominal surgery has a high incidence of postoperative respiratory complications. Although operations involving a thoracic as well as an upper abdominal incision as encountered in esophageal surgery are likely to be associated with an even higher complication rate and perhaps permanent alterations of respiratory function, only a few studies have addressed this problem. We evaluated the postoperative course of patients undergoing thoracoabdominal esophagectomy with esophagogastrostomy. Twenty patients were evaluated, of whom 10 (50%) developed respiratory complications as defined by our criteria, which were the simultaneous occurrence of rectal temperature over 38 degrees C on the first postoperative day and radiographic evidence of pulmonary infiltration. Although there is no general consensus regarding the diagnostic criteria of a postoperative pulmonary complication, we were able to validate the clinical relevance of our definition by showing that these patients suffered from a more severe and more prolonged impairment of global oxygen exchange than those who did not fulfill the criteria. They also required a longer period of respiratory support (median duration of intubation 12 vs. 3 days, P less than 0.005). A comparison of the preoperative pulmonary function with that determined at least 6 months after the operation showed that only vital capacity (VC) and total lung capacity (TLC) were significantly (P less than 0.05) reduced following the operation, but not to a clinically relevant degree (VC-6%, TLC-7%).     

眼科手术病人的心理护理

目的 :本文通过对眼科手术病人进行有效的心理护理 ,提高了患者对医护人员的信任感和依从性 ,使患者能很好配合手术 ,提高了手术的成功率。方法 :参加术前病案讨论和对患者进行术前、术中和术后的心理护理 ,以及相关疾病知识宣教。结果 :经过两组对照加强心理护理能使病人术后伤口愈合良好 ,无并发症发生 ,提高了病人对手术的满意率。结论 :通过加强心理护理融洽了护患关系增进了相互理解和信任 ,提高了以患者为中心的整体护理水平。     

Usefulness of fibrin glue in oncologic plastic surgery

Summary Human fibrin glue (Tissucol) is a plasma-derived compound endowed with adhesive and hemostatic properties and possessing a specific local anti-infection function mediated through activation of nonspecific immunity elements. The aim of this study is to show that in patients who have undergone prolonged reconstructive plastic surgery following cancer resection, Tissucol decreases infectious complications as compared to a control group. Between June 1985 and February 1988, 51 subjects were treated with fibrin glue during reconstruction operations. Analysis of the results showed that Tissucol produced a statistically significant reduction both of immediate complications, such as inflammation and partial separation of the surgical wound, and of delayed complications, such as scar hypertrophy and cutaneous fistulae. In conclusion, patients treated with Tissucol showed a better quality of surgical wound, a more rapid postoperative functional recovery and consequently a decrease in the duration of hospitalization.     

Comparison of acid reduction in antiulcer operations

Background: Three acid-reducing operations have recently been described for the laparoscopic treatment of peptic ulcer disease. These consist of a posterior truncal vagotomy combined with either (1) an anterior seromyotomy (SERO), (2) an anterior highly selective vagotomy (AHSV), or (3) a linear stapled lesser curvature excision (STAP). The purpose of this study was to investigate the physiologic effects of these procedures in terms of basal and maximal acid outputs. Methods: Fifty New Zealand rabbits were prospectively randomized into five open laparotomy groups (n= 10): a control group without vagal manipulation (CON), a bilateral truncal vagotomy with pyloromyotomy group (VP), a SERO group, an AHSV group, and a STAP group. All animals underwent placement of a gastrostomy tube for subsequent gastric secretory analysis. On postoperative day 6, basal acid outputs (BAO) and maximal acid outputs (MAO) following IV pentagastrin stimulation (30 μg/kg/h) were measured. Results were compared statistically using the ANOVA method. Results: Pentagastrin stimulation was associated with a significant increase in MAO in the CON group (p < 0.05 vs BAO); however, this response was effectively blunted in all the experimental groups. There were no differences in BAO or MAO between any of the vagotomized groups (SERO, HSV, STAP, VP). Conclusions: We conclude that the three acid-reducing procedures modified for laparoscopy are equally efficacious in reducing gastric acid secretion and that they compare favorably with VP. To our knowledge, this is the first report comparing basal and stimulated gastric acid secretion between these new acid-reducing techniques. Received: 27 March 1996/Accepted: 17 July 1996     

Surgical treatment of patients with psychiatric disorders: A review of 21 patients

Between January 1985 and September 1994, 21 patients with psychiatric disorders underwent various forms of surgery at our hospital. There were 12 men and 9 women with an average age of 57.6 years. The coexisting psychiatric disorders were schizophrenia in 15 patients, depression in 2, dementia in 2, mental retardation with epilepsy in 1, and Parkinson's disease in 1. All the patients had been receiving neuroleptic medications for a long period. The indications for surgery were: cholelithiasis in 6 patients, acute appendicitis in 4, perforation of the small intestine in 3, incarceration of an inguinal hernia in 2, and esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, bleeding from a gastric ulcer, perforation of a duodenal ulcer, strangulating ileus, and burns in 1 patient each, respectively. All of the patients who underwent elective surgery were given epidural anesthesia with or without general anesthesia. Antipsychotic medications were given until just prior to surgery and recommenced concurrent with the first meal. Abnormal behavior was observed in 11 patients (52.4%) postoperatively, but all the patients were discharged in accordance with recovery from their surgical disorder. Intra- and postoperative hypotension resistant to intravenous catecholamine administration was recognized in 9 patients (42.9%), and this peculiar complication should be borne in mind when patients with psychiatric disorders require surgical management. Presented at the 94th annual meeting of the Japanese Surgical Society, held in Tokyo in March, 1994     

Safety and efficacy of combined upper blepharoplasties and open Coronal Browlift: A consecutive series of 600 patients

Surgical rejuvenation of the upper face involves the correction of excess and lax forehead, eyelid, and periorbital skin. Improving the appearance by correcting the effects of aging involves a combination of blepharoplasty and open coronal foreheadplasty. Many surgeons and several reports question the safety of both procedures being performed concomitantly. The difficulty arises in precisely balancing the skin excision from the frontal forehead and upper eyelid areas. Over-resection of skin may result in incomplete closure of the eyelid and dry-eye syndrome, while an inadequate resection may produce a poor aesthetic result. There is no large series that documents the safety and effectiveness of these two procedures being performed concomitantly. Furthermore, with the recent and rapid development of complex multiplanar endoscopic facial rejuvenation techniques, the basic open forehead-plasty has become increasingly overlooked as a legitimate, efficacious technique for rejuvenation of the upper face. The technique utilized in this series is presented in detail. The consistently excellent results obtained satisfy the aesthetic goals of patients as well as the goals of surgeons, and suggest a renewed interest in the technique based upon its simplicity and easily reproducible results.     

Acceptance of Surgery for Obesity by Academic Surgeons in North America

BACKGROUND: Have surgeons in North America accepted operations for the treatment of severe obesity? This question was posed by organizers of the Ninth International Symposium on Obesity Surgery that met in Stockholm in September, 1995. Study design: In order to obtain opinions which might help to answer the question posed, a 1-page questionnaire was sent to 151 chairmen of academic departments of surgery in North America in December 1994 asking about the acceptance and use of surgical operations for the treatment of severe obesity. RESULTS: Answers, received from 112 or 74%, indicated that operative treatment should be used (74%), was effective (77%) and safe (71 %). However, only 65% of departments provided such operations. Operative treatment for obesity was available outside the department in 53%. The operations most frequently used were Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RGB) and vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG). A single operation was offered by 44 departments and a choice of two or more operations in 30 departments. RGB and VBG were equally in use. Gastric banding was used as an alternative to VBG in six departments. Other operations were in use in six departments either alone (three) or as alternatives to RGB and VBG (three). CONCLUSIONS: It appears that surgical treatment of obesity is accepted and available in the majority of academic departments of surgery.     

Biliopancreatic Diversion: early complications

The experience and early complications in 66 morbidly obese patients who underwent biliopancreatic diversion are presented. There was one death, due to a pulmonary embolus (PE) at home on the 15th postoperative day. Postoperative complications occurred in nine patients, consisting of gastric hemorrhage (2), gastric outlet obstruction (2), non-lethal PE (1), deep vein thrombosis (1), wound dehiscence (1), and asymptomatic gastric leak (1). In addition, there were 12 superficial wound infections. Four patients required urgent reoperation for gastric hemorrhage (2), gastric outlet obstruction (1), and wound dehiscence (1). The high complication rate is believed to represent the early part of the learning curve. Some reports of the early complications following other bariatric operations are discussed.