A retrospective evaluation of operative treatment of ankle fractures.

Between 1990 and 1992, 89 patients with ankle fracture were treated by open reduction and internal fixation in accordance with the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen (AO) principles and were available for evaluation with a mean follow-up period of 3.6 years (range 3 to 5 years). According to the AO classification, there were 21 type A, 37 type B and 31 type C fractures.

A retrospective study on elbow function after internal fixation of intercondylar fracture of adult humerus.

Between 1989 and 1993, 20 intercondylar fractures of the distal humerus were treated by open reduction, internal fixation and early postoperative mobilisation. One patient died on the third postoperative day as a result of multiple injuries, leaving 19 patients for evaluation. The mean follow-up period was 4.

Evaluation of drug-related problems in an outpatient hemodialysis unit and the impact of a clinical pharmacist.

Purpose: Drug-related morbidity and mortality are significant problems in the U.S. Recognition and resolution of drug-related problems (DRP) will decrease drug-related morbidity and mortality and promote optimal therapeutic outcomes.

Association between activity at onset of symptoms and outcome of acute myocardial infarction.

Objectives: This study sought to compare the clinical features and outcome of a first myocardial infarction with onset of symptoms during or within 30 min of exercise, at rest and in bed.

Background: It is not known whether activity at onset influences outcome of acute myocardial infarction.

Methods: Information collected using a standard questionnaire was used to relate activity at the onset of symptoms to in-hospital outcome in 2,468 consecutive patients admitted to a coronary care unit with a first myocardial infarction between 1975 and 1993.

Successful management of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome using ibuprofen.

We report the first case of the use of ibuprofen for the management of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome. A 41 year-old man with nephrotic syndrome, secondary to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, had persistent nephrotic range proteinuria despite aggressive treatment with steroids and cyclophosphamide. His steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome resolved rapidly when he was serendipituously started on ibuprofen for the treatment of pericarditis.

Problems of refraction after photorefractive keratectomy.

Background: Excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a refractive procedure to correct myopia that is gaining worldwide acceptance. PRK has been performed as an open-ended clinical trial since January 1992, and specific problems have been encountered in refracting PRK patients.

Methods: A review of all cases of PRK performed with at least 1-year follow-up was conducted.

Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis for characterization of Listeria monocytogenes isolates: results of an international comparative study.

Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MEE) is a standard technique that is used to elucidate the epidemiology of a variety of bacterial species. Recently, the method has been employed by several laboratories for investigations of clinical and foodborne isolates of Listeria monocytogenes. To assess the sensitivity and reproducibility of MEE in characterising L.

Factors affecting healing of below knee amputation.

Between January and December 1992, 54 diabetic patients with 60 below knee amputations performed in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery O, Singapore General Hospital were available for evaluation. The average follow-up period was 16.3 months with a range of 13 to 24 months.

Contributions of various major causes of death to life expectancy in Singapore, 1980-1990.

This paper considers the contributions by age of the various major groups of deaths to the increase in life expectancy at birth between 1980 and 1990 for both sexes in Singapore. Sixteen cause groups were used in the study. The data were analysed using LIFETIME, a personal computer package with a wide variety of methods for mortality investigations.

Oral health of Singapore adults.

In a study conducted by the Dental Division of the Ministry of Health in 1992, 3157 Singapore adults aged 20 to 65 years and over were interviewed on their knowledge, attitude and practice of dental care and given an examination. About 66% indicated they required dental treatment. Utilisation of dental services was low with 39% visiting the dentist at least once in 2 years.

Pharmacokinetics of once-daily IP gentamicin in CAPD patients.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the pharmacokinetic characteristics of once-daily intraperitoneal (IP) gentamicin in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients.

Design: Prospective, nonrandomized, open study.

Setting: CAPD outpatient clinic in a teaching hospital.

Variability in creatinine clearance (CCR) and KT/V due to different methods of calculating volume and CCR.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the correlations between KT/V and creatinine clearance (Ccr) calculated by different methods and to determine and compare the correlations between KT/V and Ccr.

Design: Nonrandomized, retrospective analysis of data.

Setting: Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) outpatient clinic in a teaching hospital.

Simultaneous open dislocations of the interphalangeal and metacarpo-phalangeal joints in a thumb--a case report.

Simultaneous dislocations of the interphalangeal and metacarpo-phalangeal joints are rare. Most of the previous reports in the literature concerned closed injuries which were not associated with neurovascular involvement and were easily reduced and had favourable outcomes. They were also mainly due to a dorsally directed force on a hyperextended digit.

Analysis of photorefractive keratectomy patients who have not had PRK in their second eye.

Background And Objective: Excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is performed at the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) with a minimum period of 3 months between first and second eye treatment. During this period, iatrogenic anisometropia may occur, which can lead to significant visual disability. We analyzed the reasons why some patients delayed or did not receive PRK treatment to their second eye.

Potentiation of effects of weight loss by monounsaturated fatty acids in obese NIDDM patients.

Although moderate weight loss improves glycemic control in obese NIDDM patients, quite often it is not normalized. To determine whether the response to weight loss can be improved by altering the macronutrient composition of hypocaloric diets, 17 obese NIDDM patients were studied at I) baseline, 2) after dieting for 6 weeks on a formula diet enriched in either monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs, n = 9) or carbohydrates (CHOs, n = 8) at a 50% caloric deficit, and 3) after 4 weeks of postdiet refeeding on the respective formulas with caloric intake titrated to achieve weight maintenance. Fasting, 24-h, and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) blood glucose, plasma insulin, and C-peptide levels were measured.

Non-peptide cholecystokinin-B/gastrin receptor antagonists based on bicyclic, heteroaromatic skeletons.

A series of potent and selective cholecystokinin-B/gastrin receptor antagonists based on the dibenzobicyclo[2.2.2]octane (BCO) skeleton which have recently been described were found to show species-dependent behavior when examined in rat and dog models.

Comparison of various interpositional materials in the prevention of transphyseal bone bridge formation.

Various interpositional materials, except muscle, have been used to prevent transphyseal bone bridge formation after resection of the damaged physeal plate. In this animal model, muscle was used as an interpositional material, and its effectiveness was compared with that of 3 known materials (fat, physeal allograft, and iliac apophyseal autograft). Five experiments were done on the distal femoral physis of 40 skeletally immature 3-month-old New Zealand white rabbits.

Massive chylothorax after anterior fusion of the thoracic spine.

We report a case of massive chylothorax occurring postoperatively in a patient with Potts paraplegia who underwent transthoracic anterior debridement and fusion of the T7 and T8 vertebrae. This is an uncommon complication of anterior spinal surgery but has a significant morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis of the condition and the institution of the appropriate therapy will reduce this significantly.