Pulmonary function after pectoralis major myocutaneous flap harvest.

Objective: The pectoralis major myocutaneous flap is widely used in the reconstruction of surgical defects in the head and neck region. Pulmonary atelectasis has been reported in patients undergoing these procedures, and many of these patients are heavy smokers and drinkers and have associated cardiopulmonary disorders. Flap harvest and donor site closure may lead to impairment of pulmonary function before and after the use of pectoralis major myocutaneous (PMC) in surgical reconstruction in patients with cancer of the head and neck.

Evaluation of domiciliary long-term oxygen therapy with oxygen concentrators.

Domiciliary long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) is usually supplied by means of oxygen concentrators (OCs). Various factors that determine the efficacy of such a treatment were evaluated. Sixty-three patients, arbitrarily selected from lists of health care providers, were visited at home by a biomedical engineer and a pulmonary function technician.

Atopy, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and peak flow variability in children with mild occasional wheezing.

Background: Children who suffer from recurrent wheezy episodes are often promptly classified as asthmatic. The aim of this study was to evaluate a population of mild wheezy children with repeatedly normal spirometric tests at rest for atopy, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and peak expiratory flow variability.

Methods: Thirty nine children aged 6-16 years with 1-12 wheezy attacks during the previous year were recruited from a community paediatric primary health care clinic serving an urban Israeli population.

Methotrexate in steroid-dependent asthma: long-term results.

Treatment of 21 steroid-dependent asthmatic patients with methotrexate (MTX) 15 mg/week was prospectively evaluated for a mean of 14.7 (SD 3.7) months.

Ethnic differences in lung function in Israeli children.

Background: The population of Israel consists of immigrants from many different countries. It is not known whether a single nomogram can be used for spirometric values of children of different ethnic descent.

Methods: Spirometry was performed in 753 second or third generation Israeli children (7-14 years) of different ethnic groups.