Designing for Safety: Implications of a Fifteen Year Review of Swallowed and Aspirated Dentures.

Objectives: Dentures are worn by around 20% of the population, yet if they become displaced they may enter the gastrointestinal or respiratory system, sometimes with grave consequences. The aim of this study was to review recent published literature in order to identify the epidemiology of patients and characteristics of swallowed and aspirated dental prostheses, and propose strategies to minimise these risks.

Material And Methods: A fifteen year retrospective of published case series and case reports was carried out.

Demographics and management of dog bite victims at a level two hospital in KwaZulu-Natal.

Introduction: Dog bites are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly where rabies is endemic. There is also a significant financial burden attached to prophylactic treatment to diminish the risk of rabies infection. KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has a high incidence of human rabies yet little is known about the demographics of dog bites in the province.

Brain tissue oxygenation in children diagnosed with brain death.

Background: Diagnosing brain death in children is challenging. Guidelines recommend using confirmatory testing to provide ancillary information to support the diagnosis. Brain tissue oxygenation (PbtO(2)) is being increasingly used in the adult neurocritical care for continuous monitoring of the adequacy of brain oxygenation; however, data in pediatrics is limited.